Pop star Tones and I reveals ‘death threats’ and ‘relentless bullying’
An array of music industry heavyweights — including Amy Shark — have sent a powerful message to fellow musician Tones And I, after she revealed she has been receiving “death threats” and was the victim of “relentless bullying”.
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The 2018 ARIA Awards queen, Amy Shark, has thrown her support behind pop’s new ruler Tones And I after the Dance Monkey chart-topper revealed she is struggling with “relentless bullying” and “death threats.”
Shark, who won four ARIA Awards last year, told Tones And I, a four-time ARIA Awards victor this year, on Instagram today: “With great power comes great responsibility.
“And you’re doing great. Plus u got a team that would die for you and that’s the most important thing.”
Fresh from her own ARIA Awards triumph, and a world-dominating debut single, Tones And I has revealed she’s “hiding a big black hole and is facing “death threats” and “relentless bullying.”
The emotional post sparked a strong response from her music industry peers, including Shark, singer-songwriter Clare Bowditch, electro-pop act Peking Duk, rappers Hilltop Hoods, Adrian Eagle, and DJ Izm from Bliss N Eso.
The Melbourne singer-songwriter born Toni Watson went on Facebook to say her success comes with “judgment and opinions,” and “every proud moment tears my mind in two.”
“People always say ‘Tones how does it feel, it must feel great, what are you feeling, you must be over the moon,’” she said on her Tones And I Facebook page.
“It does and I don’t want to take anything away from my well deserved achievements and to my fans I love you unconditionally, but I have been hiding a big black hole for a while now, and feel if I hide it like most artists do, then how are we going to help the next generations of young artist to come.
“Truth is (and we have all seen it) with success comes judgment and opinions. This I was prepared for, it’s normal (which is sickening) but the relentless bullying that follows every proud moment tears my mind in two.
“I make music, I have chosen to follow my passion in life and stick to it until it stuck to me. I am a very open honest, caring, good person and in the dark times of death threats and very harsh judgments from strangers I have never met, I have decided to push past it and show any artist that you can get through it and maintain your sense of self.
She added: “Even though I don’t see an end in sight, this is how I will live my life now.
“I am Toni Watson, a female artist from Australia. I am going through the best and worst time of my life.
And today I am OK.
“I love you and as always. we are in this together.”
Former busker Watson won four trophies at the ARIA Awards on Wednesday.
Her single Dance Monkey has blitzed pop charts all over the world, including Britain, and all across Europe.
DJ Izm said on Watson’s Instagram page today: “Please stay strong legend. You have so much love out there, way more than hate. You have changed ppl’s lives, your music has brought ppl together. The world loves you and needs you.”
He said haters “put pain on ppl they wish they could be,” adding: “You are so much bigger than all these hurt insecure ppl that lash out because they can hide behind their hurtful words. It’s a new era of keyboard bully.
“We all love you legend,” Izm wrote. “You are the future of music worldwide.”
Bowditch wrote: “I was thinking ... that despite the relationship between art and suffering, perhaps an artist’s first or greatest responsibility is (this doesn’t sound particularly sexy when I say it out loud but) simply to take care of themselves passionately, so they can keep making their art on the world?
“I always feel fiercer when I remember who my art was born to serve.”
Peking Duk posted: “Love you Tones.”
Hilltop Hoods and Eagles posted “heart” emjois.
Watson also spoke about her struggles while at the ARIA Awards podium on Wednesday.
“I don’t think I’m the most relatable female artist. I’m not into make-up or dresses, or typically girly things,” she said.
“But, to me, those things don’t really define what it is to be a female artist in this industry anymore. It’s being brave and courageous and true to yourself.
“No one could have ever prepared me for the whole world judging me and comparing me to other artists.”
After a breakthrough performance on Jimmy Fallon’s late night TV show in the US, Dance Monkey is No.23 on the Billboard chart and is being tipped as a potential American No.1.
The song has been No. 1 in Australia for a record-breaking 17 weeks and still sitting on top of the UK charts after eight weeks.
Watson also spoke about her struggles while at the ARIA Awards podium.
“I don’t think I’m the most relatable female artist. I’m not into make-up or dresses, or typically girly things,” she said.
“But, to me, those things don’t really define what it is to be a female artist in this industry anymore.
“It’s being brave and courageous and true to yourself.
“No one could have ever prepared me for the whole world judging me and comparing me to other artists.”