Jack Antonoff recently addressed a series of misunderstandings that erupted following the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which took place on September 11. During the event, Katy Perry was honored with the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, and she performed a medley of her past hits as well as new tracks from her forthcoming album, '143'.
A particular moment involving Antonoff became a focal point of public scrutiny when he was observed next to Taylor Swift and actress Margaret Qualley, seemingly inserting what looked like AirPods into his ears. This sparked significant speculation and backlash on social media, leaving many fans concerned about his actions. A viral post on Twitter circulated, further intensifying the controversy and leading to public examination of Antonoff's behavior.
In light of the uproar, Antonoff issued a statement clarifying that what he was actually using were not AirPods, but blue 'Hero' brand earplugs created for hearing protection. He acknowledged that utilizing earplugs in loud environments can be somewhat awkward, admitting, "It is humiliating to admit" that he relies on them. He emphasized the importance of normalizing conversations about earplug usage, a matter he considers sensitive within his family.
This incident occurs after a busy summer for Antonoff, which included an unexpected appearance at Taylor Swift's 'Eras' tour finale in London and a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter at the Grammy Museum. Meanwhile, Katy Perry’s acceptance speech at the VMAs highlighted her career achievements, particularly expressing gratitude to her loyal fans within the LGBTQ+ community. The music community is now eagerly awaiting Perry’s forthcoming album '143', which is set to drop on September 20, 2024, and will feature her lead single, 'Woman's World'. For more coverage on the VMAs performances, visit NME. Pre-order here.