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Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
Jack Antonoff has hilariously addressed the online backlash he faced for wearing earplugs during Katy Perry’s performance at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).
The 40-year-old music producer took to X (formerly known as Twitter) on September 12 to address his recent appearance at the VMAs in the UBS Arena. As Perry sang her melody of top hits, Antonoff was spotted putting something in his ears, which fans thought were AirPods, sparking immense criticism.
However, other people on X noticed that he was putting earplugs in during the show and defended him from backlash, acknowledging that he’s a musician who “needs to protect his hearing.”
Antonoff has now spoken out about the viral moment, with a sarcastic statement on X. He also shared the message on his Instagram Story, alongside a picture of a bulk bag of his blue earplugs.
“I would like to tell you directly from me that I did in fact use earplugs the other night. They were blue ‘hearos’ brand and I’m mortified to admit that I’ve been using them for a long time as well as buying them in bulk,” he hilariously wrote. “I would also like to be honest and get ahead of that fact that I do not only use them when in 100 plus DB environments.”
The lead vocalist of Bleachers then poked fun at all the times he’s used the earplugs and how he went viral for doing this at the awards show.
“It is humiliating to admit that I use them on planes and every night while sleeping,” he wrote. “There is nothing left to do but apologize and thank those who have covered this story because although it’s an embarrassment to my family, I do believe that this was a very important and pressing issue that needed to be exposed.”
He concluded his message by jokingly apologizing, writing: “I’m sorry to those I let down and today I will not be going to work and instead thinking about my earplug use and everyone that has been affected by it. The band and I have decided to keep all dates as scheduled.”
Antonoff and his band are on tour until October, with their last show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Their next show is on September 19 at the Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley.
During the VMAs, Antonoff sat alongside his wife, Margaret Qualley, and his close friend and collaborator, Taylor Swift. The “Anti-Hero” singer was also standing from her seat and dancing next to Suki Waterhouse.
At the event on September 11, Antonoff won the award for Best Song of the Year and Best Collaboration for his work on Swift and Post Malone’s hit song, “Fortnight.” The tune was also featured on Swift’s newest album, The Tortured Poets Department, which Antonoff co-produced.
The “Rollercoaster” singer has previously opened up about working with the pop star. During an interview with the Los Angeles Times in March, he recalled how he came to Swift’s defense back in 2022 when Damon Albarn claimed that she didn’t write her songs.
“I’m a little b**** sometimes. But you come after my friend Taylor, you’re toast to me,” he said. “[Questioning Taylor’s songwriting] is like challenging someone’s faith in God. You just don’t go there.”
