Fallen Idols
September has come to an end, leaving behind a trail of public scandals. A considerable number of musicians have been giving their best in putting their public image in jeopardy. Yes, P. Diddy was in good company this month, and that group is expected to grow in the upcoming weeks when the infamous list of his parties’ attendants is set to be disclosed.
Luckily, not all of September’s stars were caught up in the P. Diddy scandal (at least, not yet as far as we know). Still, the degree of scandalousness was pretty high. Early in the month, Dave Grohl, the iconic singer and drummer from Nirvana and Foo Fighters, threw his “friendly neighborhood rockstar family man” facade down the toilet. He subtly revealed on his social media accounts that he fathered a child outside of his 21-year-old marriage with his wife Jordyn Blum, with whom he shares three daughters aged 18 to 10.
Nothing out of the ordinary, if you think about it. But when you’ve built your entire brand around being the epitome of family values, it might be wise to stick to it. While Grohl may still might be considered the “nicest rockstar ever”, his persona is now facing heavy scrutiny from many fans. For decades, people have associated his music with a clear set of messages and symbols, but above all, with certain expectations.
Fans tend to hold onto these expectations, especially when musicians shpe their brands around specific narratives and ideals. But when those same musicians fail to honor them, it becomes difficult for people to separate the music from their actions - especially when those actions are cast in a negative light.
Other cases have reminded me of this complete shattering of ideals. For example, in 2023, a lawsuit was filed against American rapper, Lizzo, who was accused of hosting a hostile work environment for her dancers and collaborators. An official trial has yet to occur to determine the facts and assign blame. However, what is certain is that her positivity-infused persona has quite cracked.
American rapper Lizzo photographed by Campbell Addy, via Vanity Fair
Lizzo is neither the first nor the last to be caught in similar storms, and one might think that musicians guilty of wrongdoing would have already faced the indomitable axe of cancel culture. But you would never guess how many receive a second chance at fame and to prove themselves worthy of correcting their mistakes. In 2009, Chris Brown was sentenced to five years of probation after being found guilty of domestic violence towards the beloved pop star and then-girlfriend, Rihanna. However, as of today, he has released several new albums featuring various collaborations, with one even debuting at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
So, what’s the limit? Where do people draw the line, and where do they erase it? What are the terms for second chances at fame and winning back the love of the crowd? Are a simple rebranding and a skilled PR Crisis Manager enough? It seems they might be.
