Mixmag
News

​Grimes addresses “toxicity” and “Nazi-ism” within her fanbase

The singer “denounced white supremacy” in light of significant controversy around her ex partner, Elon Musk

Grimes has addressed “toxicity” and “Nazi-ism” within her fanbase after her ex-partner, Elon Musk, continued to stoke controversy last week.

The singer issued a statement to fans on Twitter yesterday (January 28), a week after Musk appeared at Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration, where he came under fire for using an arm gesture likened to a Nazi salute.

During a speech, Musk placed his hand over his heart before throwing his arm up in a straight motion above him. Musk has since responded to backlash, saying: “The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired”.

Read this next: Grimes says she’s “proud of white culture” after being labelled a "Nazi"

In response to controversy, Grimes – who has three children with Musk – has said that she “denounces Nazi-ism and white supremacy”.

“I'd like to address a certain toxicity in the Grimes fandom,” she said. “For a few years now some persistent trolls on Reddit have been pushing this white supremacy / Nazi thing.”

She added that she “did not realise the extent of the issue”, apologising to fans that she “didn't take this more seriously sooner. But it has come to my attention from some of yall that this has been creating a lot of trouble.”

Read this next: Grimes issues apology following "disastrous" DJ set at Coachella

Grimes went on to claim that some “bad actors” have been pushing “Nazi-ism” within her fanbase, and alleges that some have “been stalking and harassing friends and family of mine”.

“Specifically they have been even calling workplaces of non white friends and trying to get them fired for being supposed Nazis. That level of stuff - FYI,” she wrote.

Last year, Grimes faced backlash after alleging to be a “human supremacist” who is “proud of white culture”. Her comments were made in response to critics labelling her a white supremacist for reportedly liking Nazi memes on Twitter, according to Page Six.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter