Every once in a while, I’ll share an opinion that I think is pretty harmless, not even that controversial, but somehow it ends up sparking a surprisingly strong response from the people around me.
Let me rewind for a moment.
When I was studying at Berklee College of Music, there were a series of business courses I had to take in order to earn my Music Business degree. In one of these classes, we ended up in a discussion about the artist’s role in shaping culture, and specifically, whether artists should speak out on current events or political issues.
The professor was firmly in favor. He believed that musicians, as public figures with massive platforms, not only could but should speak out—that they had a responsibility to use their influence for good.
But I raised my hand and said, “I don’t think artists or musicians should speak about politics. I mean, they can, of course. Freedom of speech and all that. But I don’t think they should.”
Immediately, I knew I had said the wrong thing. The room fell silent. Everyone looked at me in horror, like I had just said that I had a bomb strapped to my chest.
Suddenly, a debate broke out. Other students raised their hands, passionately defending the duty of the artist to speak out, and I was left alone to explain my position, the only person in the room who could possibly believe such a preposterous idea.
I felt like I was losing my mind. Surely I couldn’t be the only one who thinks this way? But it was true, not a single person in the class took my side.
Something happened last week that reminded me of that moment, so I figured it was time to revisit the argument.
If your Instagram feed was miraculously free of glitter-covered micro-influencers twirling in the desert, yes, Coachella took place over the past two weekends.
I’ll admit it. I’m envious of everyone who gets to attend. It’s one of the most popular and celebrated music festivals in the United States, and I’d definitely love to experience it one day.
After the first weekend, videos from the festival started swirling around online. One clip in particular caught my attention—a short video of Amyl and the Sniffers’ performance. For those unfamiliar, Amyl and the Sniffers are a punk band from Australia, led by Amy Taylor, whose high-energy, raucous, and fiercely authentic presence has earned her a loyal following.
In the clip, Amy paused between songs to show support for various marginalized groups in America. Unfortunately, I can’t find the original video anymore—likely due to copyright takedowns—so I’ll share the transcript instead. Here’s what she said on stage:
“I just want to say I think it’s a super tough time all across America, and I just want to extend my love and support to all the trans people, to all the gay people, to all the Black people, to all the immigrants—illegal and legal as well, and everybody else, including women, and the fucking men, because you know what, everyone is getting fucked up from it. And you know exactly what I’m talking about, so I’d also like to extend my heart to the people in Palestine, and the people in Ukraine, because fuck dying in any capacity, and fuck getting murdered, by other people for bullshit.”
For the record, I have no issue with an artist sharing sentiments like this. It’s a general call for solidarity and compassion. In many ways, this is as punk rock as it gets; punk has always been about challenging the system.
But I was surprised by the response to the clip. A lot of commenters brought up Chappell Roan, criticizing her for being non-political. Chappell has been open about her reluctance to speak publicly about politics, which some fans interpret as cowardly or privileged.
In a TikTok video from last September (pre-election), she explained why she refuses to endorse a specific candidate. Then, just a few weeks ago, she responded more directly to the backlash in her Call Her Daddy interview, asking broadly, “Why are you looking to me for some political answer?”
But Chappell, in my opinion, has the right idea. Let me explain why.
Chappell Roan is an expert in three key areas: singing, writing songs, and performing live. There may be other things she excels at, but these three are, by and large, the things you need to master to become a pop star.
When someone reaches a certain level of celebrity in today’s world, as Chappell has, a very real phenomenon starts to occur: parasocial relationships. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, here’s the definition (according to Google):
“A parasocial relationship is a one-sided connection or bond that someone develops with a media figure—such as a celebrity, influencer, or fictional character—where they feel like they know the person personally, even though the connection is not reciprocated.”
People become obsessed with celebrities and expect a kind of moral purity. They look to them for how to act, what to believe, and how to think. When someone like Chappell Roan chooses to stay non-political, it creates a subtle cognitive dissonance that muddies the fantasy of the parasocial bond. In other words, it makes people ask: How can I love this person if they don’t believe the same things I believe?
Chappell Roan is smart. She understands that she’s not a political expert, and therefore shouldn’t be looked to for political opinions. But that’s not the case with most celebrities. In fact, a lot of celebrity is a result of tremendous ego—and when that ego is constantly reinforced through fan worship and media attention, people start to believe they have all the answers. That’s how you end up with celebrities weighing in on things they’re hilariously uninformed about (see: Katy Perry putting the “ass in astronaut”).
Still, maybe the simplest way to make my point is with a question:
Would you ask your doctor to sing you a song? Would you ask your accountant to do a little ditty?
Of course not.
So why would you expect a celebrity or pop star to speak out on politics or other hot-button issues?
In 2022, Kendrick Lamar released an album called Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, in which he addressed the burden of being viewed as a “savior.”
In the song “Savior,” he highlights his own flaws, admitting:
“The cat is out the bag, I am not your savior / I find it just as difficult to love thy neighbors.”
The song pushes back against the idea that celebrities, including himself, should be seen as moral authorities or infallible guides on societal issues. It’s a reminder that public figures wrestle with the same human struggles and contradictions as the rest of us.
While Kendrick’s perspective is rooted in themes of social justice and the Black experience, the core idea still applies: celebrities shouldn't be expected to have all the answers.
In the U.S., everyone is entitled to an opinion. It’s a right protected by the First Amendment and a core part of the country’s democratic foundation. Artists, musicians, and public figures have every right to speak out on political or social issues. But should we expect them to? Personally, I don’t think so.
When someone like Chappell Roan or Kendrick Lamar chooses silence over making a statement, it’s not always about avoidance—sometimes it’s about humility. By stepping back from the role of spokesperson, they’re acknowledging their limitations and placing the responsibility for critical thinking back where it belongs: on us, the audience.
That choice, often misread as apathy, can actually reflect deep respect for their craft and a refusal to flatten complex issues into quick soundbites. So the next time an artist you admire opts for silence over a public stance, consider that their restraint might be the most honest move they can make.
In a culture that constantly demands a take, sometimes the most radical thing you can do is say nothing at all.
Every once in a while, I’ll share an opinion that I think is pretty harmless, not even that controversial, but somehow it ends up sparking a surprisingly strong response from the people around me.
Let me rewind for a moment.
When I was studying at Berklee College of Music, there were a series of business courses I had to take in order to earn my Music Business degree. In one of these classes, we ended up in a discussion about the artist’s role in shaping culture, and specifically, whether artists should speak out on current events or political issues.
The professor was firmly in favor. He believed that musicians, as public figures with massive platforms, not only could but should speak out—that they had a responsibility to use their influence for good.
But I raised my hand and said, “I don’t think artists or musicians should speak about politics. I mean, they can, of course. Freedom of speech and all that. But I don’t think they should.”
Immediately, I knew I had said the wrong thing. The room fell silent. Everyone looked at me in horror, like I had just said that I had a bomb strapped to my chest.
Suddenly, a debate broke out. Other students raised their hands, passionately defending the duty of the artist to speak out, and I was left alone to explain my position, the only person in the room who could possibly believe such a preposterous idea.
I felt like I was losing my mind. Surely I couldn’t be the only one who thinks this way? But it was true, not a single person in the class took my side.
Something happened last week that reminded me of that moment, so I figured it was time to revisit the argument.
If your Instagram feed was miraculously free of glitter-covered micro-influencers twirling in the desert, yes, Coachella took place over the past two weekends.
I’ll admit it. I’m envious of everyone who gets to attend. It’s one of the most popular and celebrated music festivals in the United States, and I’d definitely love to experience it one day.
After the first weekend, videos from the festival started swirling around online. One clip in particular caught my attention—a short video of Amyl and the Sniffers’ performance. For those unfamiliar, Amyl and the Sniffers are a punk band from Australia, led by Amy Taylor, whose high-energy, raucous, and fiercely authentic presence has earned her a loyal following.
In the clip, Amy paused between songs to show support for various marginalized groups in America. Unfortunately, I can’t find the original video anymore—likely due to copyright takedowns—so I’ll share the transcript instead. Here’s what she said on stage:
“I just want to say I think it’s a super tough time all across America, and I just want to extend my love and support to all the trans people, to all the gay people, to all the Black people, to all the immigrants—illegal and legal as well, and everybody else, including women, and the fucking men, because you know what, everyone is getting fucked up from it. And you know exactly what I’m talking about, so I’d also like to extend my heart to the people in Palestine, and the people in Ukraine, because fuck dying in any capacity, and fuck getting murdered, by other people for bullshit.”
For the record, I have no issue with an artist sharing sentiments like this. It’s a general call for solidarity and compassion. In many ways, this is as punk rock as it gets; punk has always been about challenging the system.
But I was surprised by the response to the clip. A lot of commenters brought up Chappell Roan, criticizing her for being non-political. Chappell has been open about her reluctance to speak publicly about politics, which some fans interpret as cowardly or privileged.
In a TikTok video from last September (pre-election), she explained why she refuses to endorse a specific candidate. Then, just a few weeks ago, she responded more directly to the backlash in her Call Her Daddy interview, asking broadly, “Why are you looking to me for some political answer?”
But Chappell, in my opinion, has the right idea. Let me explain why.
Chappell Roan is an expert in three key areas: singing, writing songs, and performing live. There may be other things she excels at, but these three are, by and large, the things you need to master to become a pop star.
When someone reaches a certain level of celebrity in today’s world, as Chappell has, a very real phenomenon starts to occur: parasocial relationships. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, here’s the definition (according to Google):
“A parasocial relationship is a one-sided connection or bond that someone develops with a media figure—such as a celebrity, influencer, or fictional character—where they feel like they know the person personally, even though the connection is not reciprocated.”
People become obsessed with celebrities and expect a kind of moral purity. They look to them for how to act, what to believe, and how to think. When someone like Chappell Roan chooses to stay non-political, it creates a subtle cognitive dissonance that muddies the fantasy of the parasocial bond. In other words, it makes people ask: How can I love this person if they don’t believe the same things I believe?
Chappell Roan is smart. She understands that she’s not a political expert, and therefore shouldn’t be looked to for political opinions. But that’s not the case with most celebrities. In fact, a lot of celebrity is a result of tremendous ego—and when that ego is constantly reinforced through fan worship and media attention, people start to believe they have all the answers. That’s how you end up with celebrities weighing in on things they’re hilariously uninformed about (see: Katy Perry putting the “ass in astronaut”).
Still, maybe the simplest way to make my point is with a question:
Would you ask your doctor to sing you a song? Would you ask your accountant to do a little ditty?
Of course not.
So why would you expect a celebrity or pop star to speak out on politics or other hot-button issues?
In 2022, Kendrick Lamar released an album called Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, in which he addressed the burden of being viewed as a “savior.”
In the song “Savior,” he highlights his own flaws, admitting:
“The cat is out the bag, I am not your savior / I find it just as difficult to love thy neighbors.”
The song pushes back against the idea that celebrities, including himself, should be seen as moral authorities or infallible guides on societal issues. It’s a reminder that public figures wrestle with the same human struggles and contradictions as the rest of us.
While Kendrick’s perspective is rooted in themes of social justice and the Black experience, the core idea still applies: celebrities shouldn't be expected to have all the answers.
In the U.S., everyone is entitled to an opinion. It’s a right protected by the First Amendment and a core part of the country’s democratic foundation. Artists, musicians, and public figures have every right to speak out on political or social issues. But should we expect them to? Personally, I don’t think so.
When someone like Chappell Roan or Kendrick Lamar chooses silence over making a statement, it’s not always about avoidance—sometimes it’s about humility. By stepping back from the role of spokesperson, they’re acknowledging their limitations and placing the responsibility for critical thinking back where it belongs: on us, the audience.
That choice, often misread as apathy, can actually reflect deep respect for their craft and a refusal to flatten complex issues into quick soundbites. So the next time an artist you admire opts for silence over a public stance, consider that their restraint might be the most honest move they can make.
In a culture that constantly demands a take, sometimes the most radical thing you can do is say nothing at all.
