Josh Hutcherson Discusses Backlash Over Taylor Swift Comments
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Los Angeles, April 20 (NationPress) Actor Josh Hutcherson, widely recognized for his role in the 'The Hunger Games' series, recently addressed the online criticism he faced last year for not being a fan of Taylor Swift.
In a candid moment, Hutcherson shared his sentiments about staying away from the internet. Recounting his brief return during the promotional tour for Rachel Sennott’s HBO series 'I Love L.A.', he reflected on a comment regarding Swift that sparked considerable backlash, as reported by 'Variety'.
During an interview with i-D Magazine, Hutcherson, along with his co-star Jordan Firstman, participated in a game where he showcased a picture of himself and his mother at Swift’s Era Tour in New Orleans. He humorously noted, “My mom made me” attend the concert, leading Firstman to inquire about his fandom for Swift.
“I’m not a Swiftie,” Hutcherson stated. “Very much not. No shade, all respect, but definitely not.”
This remark ignited a storm on social media, with some fans demanding Hutcherson be canceled for accepting VIP tickets while not being a genuine fan.
In response to the uproar, the actor told GQ, “I received backlash after a photoshoot with Jordan, where he asked about being a (Taylor Swift fan), and I replied, ‘Oh no, I’m definitely not a Swiftie.’ Suddenly, it became this, ‘F*** him! He’s a monster! Destroy him. He’s short. He hates her because he’s short.’ It’s just like, whoa! I think she’s great. Her music isn’t my style. That’s why I prefer to avoid being online.”
Following the release of 'I Love L.A.', Hutcherson has reverted to his offline lifestyle. “I don’t need that kind of energy. It’s counterproductive to my work, because if people know you too well, it’s hard to immerse yourself in characters. They see you as, ‘Oh, that’s Josh.’ If you become a meme, people recognize you for that,” he added.