Jack Antonoff has taken to social media to address claims surrounding a moment during Katy Perry's performance at the 2024 MTV VMAs, held on September 11. As Perry was awarded the Video Vanguard Award, she captivated the audience with a medley of her biggest hits, alongside songs from her upcoming album, '143'. Among the performances, she included 'E.T.', 'I Kissed A Girl', and the recently released single 'Lifelines'.
During this spectacle, a segment of the audience noticed Antonoff appearing to put what many assumed was a pair of Airpods in his ears while standing alongside Taylor Swift and actress Margaret Qualley. The moment sparked outrage on social media, with one fan expressing their disgust on Twitter, igniting a brief controversy.
In response to the backlash, Antonoff clarified via Twitter that the items were not Airpods but rather blue 'Hero' brand earplugs, used to protect his hearing. With a hint of humor, he expressed embarrassment about his earplug usage not only at loud concerts but also on flights and while sleeping. Antonoff remarked, "I do not only use them when in 100 plus DB environments... it is humiliating to admit."
He expressed gratitude for the media coverage, calling attention to this pressing issue regarding earplugs, which he humorously deemed embarrassing for his family.
This incident followed a summer where Antonoff surprised fans by appearing at Taylor Swift's final 'Eras' show in London and collaborating with Sabrina Carpenter on a new track at the Grammy Museum. Meanwhile, Perry's VMAs acceptance speech reflected on her career, thanking supporters and her LGBTQ+ fans. Her new album, '143', is scheduled for release on September 20, 2024, and features the lead single 'Woman's World'. Pre-order here.
For more details about the VMAs and performances, visit NME.