Halsey is speaking out after the German radio host Matthias Matuschik stirred outrage by comparing the K-pop band BTS to the novel coronavirus.
The 26-year-old pop star lambasted Matuschik on Friday in a statement posted to her Instagram Stories.
She has a personal connection to the wildly popular Korean boy band after cowriting and performing on their 2019 single Boy With Luv.
Standing up for friends: Halsey, 26, came to the defense of the K-pop band BTS in an Instagram statement Friday after German radio host Matthias Matuschik compared them to the coronavirus; seen in January 2020 in LA
Halsey wrote in her statement that she was ‘horrified’ by Matuschik’s comments, which she said were an example of ‘racism and xenophobia.’
‘I am horrified to read the comments made by Matthias Matuschik,’ she began.
‘Racism and xenophobia cannot be thinly veiled as “on air humor.” Irresonsible and disgusting statements in a time where hate speech and violent behavior towards Asian communities are skyrocketing. This is unacceptable’ she continued.
‘I hope a better apology to BTS, and the Asian communities across the world, is on its way.’
Harsh words: Halsey wrote in her statement that she was ‘horrified’ by Matuschik’s comments, which she said were an example of ‘racism and xenophobia’
Collaborators: Halsey appeared both onstage and in the video for BTS’ 2019 song Boy With Luv, which she cowrote and sang on; Halsey performing with BTS in Las Vegas in 2019
Matuschik came under fire for comments he made Wednesday on the Bavarian radio station Bayern 3.
After playing BTS’ cover of Coldplay’s song Fix You, he called it ‘blasphemy,’ before calling the band, ‘some crappy virus that hopefully there will be a vaccine for soon as well,’ according to the Associated Press.
His statements immediately afterward trying to downplay the comment didn’t do much to assuage BTS fans.
‘I have nothing against South Korea, you can’t accuse me of xenophobia only because this boyband is from South Korea,’ he continued. ‘I have a car from South Korea. I have the coolest car around.’
He also joked that the vocal group would ‘be vacationing in North Korea for the next 20 years’ as punishment for their cover song.
Offensive: After playing BTS’ cover of Coldplay’s song Fix You, he called it ‘blasphemy’ and said the band was ‘some crappy virus that hopefully there will be a vaccine for soon as well,’ according to the AP
Violence: The host’s comments come come amid reports of anti-Asian hate crimes across the US, particularly in large cities with well-established Asian communities like San Francisco and NYC; BTS seen on The Tonight Show in October
Matuschik’s comments were instantly condemned by fans of the band.
They come amid reports of anti-Asian hate crimes across the US, particularly in large cities with well-established Asian communities like San Francisco and New York City.
Some of the violence is believed to be related to conspiracy theories about the novel coronavirus, which was first detected in Wuhan, China.
In addition to appearing in the Boy With Luv video, Halsey has joined BTS to perform it live multiple times, including at a Paris concert at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
Last year, BTS became the quickest band to score five albums atop the Billboard 200 album chart in the US since the Beatles with the November 2020 release of their fifth album Be.
Baby on board: Meanwhile, Halsey has been keeping a lower profile recently after announcing she was expecting her first child with her boyfriend, the screenwriter Alev Aydin; seen in February 2020 in Miami Beach
Meanwhile, Halsey has been keeping a lower profile recently after announcing she was expecting her first child with her boyfriend, the screenwriter Alev Aydin.
Last week, the Without Me singer opened up about how pregnancy has changed her feelings about gender and her own body.
‘I thought pregnancy would give me very strong, binary feelings about “womanhood” but truly it has leveled my perception of gender entirely,’ she captioned a photo showcasing her growing tummy.
‘My sensitivity to my body has made me hyper aware of my humanness and that’s all. Doing a remarkable thing. And it’s grand. I hope the feeling lasts.’
New outlook: Last week, the Without Me singer opened up about how pregnancy has changed her feelings about gender and her own body