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Jack Antonoff 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 Sept. 12 to discuss his recent VMAs appearance at the UBS Arena. While Perry was belting out her greatest hits tune, Antonoff was seen putting something in his ears, which fans thought were AirPods, sparking immense criticism.
However, other people on X noticed that he was putting in earplugs during the show and defended him from the backlash, acknowledging that he is 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 photo of a bulk bag of his blue earplugs.
“I would like to tell you straight from my side that I did indeed use earplugs the other night. They were blue ‘Hearos’ brand and I am embarrassed to admit that I have been using them for a long time and also buying them in bulk,” he wrote humorously. “I would also like to be honest and get ahead of the fact that I don’t only use them when I am in environments with more than 100 DB.”
The Bleachers lead vocalist then made fun of all the times he used earplugs and how he went viral for doing this at the awards show.
“It is humiliating to admit that I wear them on airplanes and every night while I sleep,” she wrote. “I can only apologize and thank those who have covered this story because, although it is an embarrassment for my family, I believe that this is a very important and urgent issue that needed to be brought to light.”
He concluded his message with a joking apology: “I’m sorry to those I’ve disappointed, but I won’t be going to work today and instead think about my use of earplugs and everyone who has been affected by it. The band and I have decided to keep all dates as scheduled.”
Antonoff and his band will be on tour through October, with their final show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Their next show will be on September 19 at the Greek Theatre at the University of California, Berkeley.
During the VMAs, Antonoff sat next to his wife, Margaret Qualley, and close friend and collaborator, Taylor Swift. The “Anti-Hero” singer also got up from her seat and danced alongside Suki Waterhouse.
At the Sept. 11 event, Antonoff won Song of the Year and Best Collaboration for his work on Swift and Post Malone's hit song, “Fortnight.” The tune also appeared on Swift's latest album, The Department of Tortured Poetswhich Antonoff co-produced.
The “Rollercoaster” singer had already spoken about working with the pop star. During an interview with the magazine Los Angeles Times In March, she recalled how she came to Swift's defense in 2022 when Damon Albarn claimed she didn't write his songs.
“I'm a bit of a jerk sometimes. But if you mess with my friend Taylor, you're a goner for me,” he said.[Questioning Taylor’s songwriting] It's like challenging someone's faith in God. You don't have to go there.”
