Tough talk turned into buzzword obedience as one performer’s hot take double-down on transgenderism brought more heat than he bargained for.
Grammy-winning artist Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, recently sat down for an interview with VladTV podcaster Gloria Velez that seemed to show spine where others had had their common sense cowed. Courage from the R&B singer appeared to be short-lived however when he took to social media late Sunday with his “deepest apologies.”
“After much reflection, I’d like to express my deepest apologies to anyone that I may have hurt with my comments on parenting and gender identity,” Ne-Yo posted to X. “I’ve always been an advocate for love and inclusivity in the LGBTQI+ community, so I understand how my comments could’ve been interpreted as insensitive and offensive.”
“Gender identity is nuanced,” he continued, “and I can honestly admit that I plan to better educate myself on the topic, so I can approach future conversations with more empathy. At the end of the day, I lead with love and support everyone’s freedom of expression and pursuit of happiness.”
I’d like to express my deepest apologies… pic.twitter.com/M5aTFN40tn
— NE-YO (@NeYoCompound) August 7, 2023
The pressured apology loaded up with alphabet soup touchstones like “inclusivity,” the lengthy “LGBTQI+” acronym and a “plan to better educate myself” was a far cry from his previously asserted “I stated my opinion on the matter and that’s that.”
Ne-Yo’s one-day turnaround had started with Velez asking the father of seven about transgenderism to which he contended, “Parents have almost forgotten what the role of a parent is. It’s like, okay, if your little boy comes to you and says, ‘Daddy, I want to be a girl.’ And you just let him rock with that? You just let — he’s five.”
“If you let this five-year-old boy decide to eat candy all day, he’s going to do that,” the entertainer added. “Like when did it become a good idea to let a five-year-old, let a six-year-old, let a 12-year-old make a life-changing decision for they self? When did that happen? Like, I don’t understand that. I don’t get that.”
As backlash began to spread among activists over his opinion, Ne-Yo took to the comment section of an Instagram post from Hollywood Unlocked and initially held to his convictions.
“1st and foremost, I CONDEMN NO ONE. Who am I to condemn anybody? Your life, your kids, your choice. I was asked a question and I answered it. My opinion is mine. I’m not asking anybody to agree with me nor am I telling you what you can and cannot do with your children. I stated my opinion on a matter and that’s that,” he wrote.
“Why should I care if my opinion upsets you when you don’t care if yours upsets anyone? Opinions aren’t special,” declared the singer. “We all have one.”
View this post on Instagram
“People voice them regularly whether they’re asked or not. I was actually asked mine. Agreeing to disagree is not a declaration of war. Y’all do whatever the hell y’all want to,” expressed Ne-Yo. “But my feelings on the matter are mine. Same way yours are yours. Meanwhile, I love everybody. Don’t agree with some of y’all’s ideals….but love you no less.”
Proving that there was nothing to be gained for apologizing to the mob, a new backlash ensued over the apparent display of cowardice after the rapper’s “deepest apologies.”
“Struggle Sessions were used throughout communist China and Cambodia. Those accused of thought crimes were humiliated in front of cheering crowds while they wore signs around their necks listing their ‘crimes’. Today, it happens when you say ANYTHING about the U.S. of Gay,” tweeted talk radio host Jesse Kelly.
Here’s additional responses to the story, as seen on Twitter:
Unfollowing you. I thought rappers were supposed to rock the boat and be controversial? You are a disappointment, sell-out.
— Quaran-Tina (@superbucks2050) August 7, 2023
I wish I was following in the first place so I could now unfollow.
— SevenClicksToFreedom (@7Clicks) August 7, 2023
Coward
— Gina Bontempo (@FlorioGina) August 7, 2023
Cowardly capitulation. Pitiful.
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) August 7, 2023
The hostage letters are getting longer…
— Terry Van Loon (@terrybythebay) August 7, 2023
You had nothing to apologize for. Never bend a knee to the rage mob.
— Helena Handbasket (@BumpstockBarbie) August 7, 2023
“Better educate”
— The Investigative Examiners (@TruthorConseq12) August 7, 2023
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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