Chappell Roan has repeatedly spoken out about “obsessed” followers in the past. This is how Robert Smith reacted.
Robert Smith has spoken out in support of singer Chappell Roan, who recently described the behavior of some fans as “obsessive”. The Cure frontman reported that the relationship between artists and their followers is much more complex today than in previous years.
“Today it’s almost part of the business”
“As an artist, you want to make people feel involved. But it’s probably a phenomenon of the modern world that there is a demand that didn’t exist before among fans,” said the musician in a recent conversation on the BBC podcast “Sidetracked”. “When we started, just making our music was enough – and people didn’t ask for more. I also didn’t expect to meet Alex Harvey or David Bowie in person. It was enough to see her on stage. “Today it’s almost part of the business,” says the singer. Smith expressed understanding that artists like Chappell Roan may have difficulty dealing with the intense interest of their fans. Especially if her fame grows very quickly.
The Cure also had their experiences and had to deal with obsessive fan behavior. “It can get very scary when fans camp out on your doorstep,” Smith said. “When the people outside the door still have the feeling that the cosmos wanted it that way and they behave in a way that doesn’t seem entirely normal – you think: ‘How should you react to that?’ That’s actually impossible.”
Grounded at a “lower level”
Compared to pop stars like Chappell Roan, there was a difference between him and his band. The goth rockers’ career developed over a long time and their popularity gradually grew. It helps if you are grounded at a “lower level,” Smith said. “It took us years and years of touring and traveling around the world and doing stuff like that. When we became really famous, I kind of knew how to react. I had already developed that as part of myself,” the 65-year-old continued.
But it is particularly bad if the joy of music is lost as a result. “It’s terrible when you’re constantly being stared at and poked at and people’s expectations keep rising,” Smith said. “This is a very strange and unpleasant experience.”
Chappell Roan: “Women don’t owe you anything”
Chappell Roan can probably tell you a thing or two about that. In recent months, the Grammy nominee has been open about inappropriate behavior toward her. She received support for this – from musicians like Miley Cyrus, Noah Kahan and Jewel. “I’ve had too many non-consensual physical and social interactions and I just need to set the record straight and remind you: women don’t owe you anything,” she wrote in a social media post in August. “I chose this career path because I love music and art and honoring my inner child. I do not accept harassment of any kind just because I chose this path, nor do I deserve it.”