Jack Antonoff is no stranger to controversy. But this time, it’s not for his music. The Grammy-winning producer and Bleachers frontman stirred up a bit of drama at the MTV Video Music Awards, and it had nothing to do with any performance on stage.
Instead, Antonoff found himself in the spotlight for wearing earplugs during Katy Perry’s Video Vanguard performance. Sitting alongside wife Margaret Qualley and bestie Taylor Swift, Antonoff was spotted on camera popping in his earplugs as Perry belted out her hits.
Jack Antonoff’s Pitch-Perfect Response
In true Antonoff fashion, the 40-year-old hit back at the criticism with a sarcastic yet graceful post on X. “I would like to tell you directly from me that I did in fact use earplugs the other night,” he joked. “They were blue hearos brand and I’m mortified to admit that I’ve been using them for a long time as well as buying them in bulk.”
And if you thought his earplug use was limited to concerts, think again. Antonoff candidly shared, “It is humiliating to admit that I use them on planes and every night while I sleep.” A moment of vulnerability from the man known for his quick wit, but he didn’t stop there.
He further said, “There is nothing left to do but apologize and thank those who have covered this story because although it’s an embarrassment to my family and I, I do believe that this was a very important and pressing issue that needed to be exposed.”
While fans know the criticism had little to do with the earplugs themselves and more with Perry’s well-publicized past feud with Swift, Antonoff didn’t let it get under his skin. “I’m sorry to those I let down and today I will not be going to work and instead thinking about my earplug use and everyone that has been affected by it,” he joked. But don’t worry, Antonoff assured fans that all scheduled tour dates would continue as planned.
Jack Antonoff’s Incident Has Nothing To Do With Katy Perry And Taylor Swift’s Relationship
Naturally, the internet couldn’t get enough of Antonoff’s snappy response. The comment section was ablaze with fans both defending and ridiculing the ‘Rollercoaster‘ singer. Antonoff also shared his apology on his Instagram Story, accompanied by a photo of a bag of blue earplugs.
In the aftermath of the event, TMZ reported that his decision to protect his hearing had irritated Perry’s fans, with one fan calling the move “disrespectful.”
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One user noted, “the fact that y’all are bullying Jack Antonoff for wearing earplugs when in reality every. single. person. in. that. stadium. needed. to. be. wearing. them.”
And while Katy Perry stans weren’t thrilled, it’s worth noting that Perry and Swift have reportedly mended fences since their infamous feud. They even shared a cheeseburger-hugging moment in Swift’s ‘You Need to Calm Down‘ video.
They have been spotted together at recent events, including Swift’s Eras Tour earlier this year. Perry even posted on Instagram captioning, “Got to see an old friend shine tonight.” It seems like the only ones holding onto the past drama are the fans, not the pop stars themselves.
