Jack Antonoff recently addressed a wave of misunderstandings stemming from the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) held on September 11, particularly regarding his actions during Katy Perry's performance. While Perry celebrated her Video Vanguard Award with a medley of her hits and fresh tracks from her upcoming album, '143', a moment involving Antonoff caught significant public attention.
During the performance, Antonoff was spotted standing alongside Taylor Swift and actress Margaret Qualley, seemingly inserting what appeared to be Airpods into his ears. This prompted social media backlash, with fans expressing their concerns and speculation about his behavior. A post on Twitter quickly went viral, further fueling the controversy.
In light of the reaction, Antonoff clarified via a statement that the devices he used were actually blue 'Hero' brand earplugs designed for hearing protection, not Airpods as many assumed. He acknowledged the awkwardness of using earplugs in loud environments, stating, "It is humiliating to admit" that he relies on them. He also emphasized the importance of discussing earplug use, which he found to be an embarrassing topic for his family.
This incident comes on the heels of a busy summer for Antonoff, including a surprise appearance at Taylor Swift's 'Eras' tour finale in London and a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter at the Grammy Museum. Meanwhile, Katy Perry's VMAs acceptance speech highlighted her career milestones and expressed gratitude to her loyal fans, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Perry's anticipated album '143' is set to release on September 20, 2024, featuring her lead single, 'Woman's World'. Pre-order here. Further coverage of the VMAs performances can be found on NME.