Singer Bazzi calls for Instagram to remove ‘all metrics that breed insecurity’

US singer Bazzi has a huge social media footprint, connecting him with his millions of fans. But he is calling on Instagram, who removed likes, to hide followers as well with people becoming “too infatuated with the idea of being liked and seen”.

• ‘Influencer’ breaks down over Instagram’s big change

Despite his huge online following, US singer Bazzi thinks Instagram should go even further with their new measures by hiding likes and follower counts.

The 21-year-old skyrocketed to stardom with multi-platinum songs ‘Mine’ and his newest single ‘Paradise’, famously going from being so poor he had to ration discount fast food into three meals to now being worth millions.

Connecting with the younger generation means a huge online footprint — 1.2 million Instagram followers and more than 3 billion online streams — but Bazzi told Confidential he thought Instagram hiding likes was “genius” and that they should rid the platform of all metrics that breed insecurity.

American singer Bazzi uses social media to connect with his fans but is calling on Instagram to hide followers. Picture: Tim Hunter

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“People have become way too infatuated with that idea and being liked and being seen and I think those are things that ultimately make you unhappy because you’re living through people’s expectations,” he said.

“So I think that’s a big step, I even think they should lose followers and likes because it does make people feel inferior and less important.

“Especially as an artist social media creates an immediate insecurity. I put so much of my life out there, my personality and my personal problems and it’s like by doing that I make myself objective to people’s opinions.

“I’m pretty good at shutting it off and knowing what’s real and what isn’t. It’s had a strong impact but it’s not a huge influence.”

He is dating Australian model Renee Herbert, right, pictured with her identical twin sister Elisha.

Bazzi said he “really likes” Australian people.

Bazzi was in the country recently to perform at Nova’s Red Room, but it’s not his first trip Down Under.

His girlfriend is Australian model Renee Herbert, who has an identical model sister Elisha.

Bazzi said he “really likes” Australian people, but musically he’s got his eye on Aussie indie act DMA’s to collaborate with in the future.

“They’re one of my favourites, I think Australian music taste is very cool,” he said.

“It feels very unbothered by the rest of the world.”