Entertainment
Caroline Flack’s Death Sparks “Be Kind” Campaign and Media Conversation
Published
3 years agoon
By
Katie Calo
- Former “Love Island” host Caroline Flack died by suicide in her London apartment on Saturday.
- Flack was awaiting trial for alleged assault charges, a legal process that was unfolding in the public eye.
- The world has responded with tributes and mourning, as well as condemnation for media outlets and social media trolls who aggravated Flack prior to her death.
- The message to “be kinder” has gained traction in the wake of the tragedy.
Tragic Death
When news of TV personality Caroline Flack’s death broke over the weekend, reactions ranged from tributes and mourning to anger and speculation over what might have led to her suicide.
Flack, who formerly hosted the popular reality TV show “Love Island,” died by suicide in her London apartment on Saturday. She was 40 years old.
Flack had been in the midst of a public legal ordeal, as she was awaiting trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend, Lewis Burton. She was arrested in December when police were called to their apartment for a domestic incident, but she was released on bail awaiting her trial scheduled for March.
Within a week of her assault charges, Flack stepped down from her position on “Love Island” so as “not [to] detract attention” from the show.
“There have been a significant number of media reports and allegations in regard to my personal life,” she wrote in a statement on Instagram. “While matters were not as have been reported, I am committed to cooperating with the appropriate authorities and I can’t comment further on these matters until the legal process is over.”
Following her Dec. 23 court appearance, Flack posted a message alluding to mental health struggles stemming from the publicity of her legal ongoings.
“This kind of scrutiny and speculation is a lot to take on for one person to take on their own,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’m a human being at the end of the day.”
//www.instagram.com/embed.jsView this post on InstagramA post shared by Caroline (@carolineflack) on Dec 24, 2019 at 12:17pm PST
Push for Change
The news of Flack’s death has yet again drawn closer attention to the way that public figures are harassed by both the press and people across social media. Some are implying that it was this unfair treatment that pushed Flack to take her own life.
The absolute audacity of certain members of the press who spend their careers hounding famous women from Meghan Markle to Caroline Flack pretending to be shocked by the consequences of an intrusive media which unashamedly relies on misogyny to get clicks and sell papers
— Amna (@AGlasgowGirl) February 15, 2020
Think of how the media treats women. From Amy Winehouse to Rebekah Vardy, from Lily Allen to Meghan Markle, from Princess Diana to Caroline Flack, from reality TV stars to royalty. The women change, but the will to humiliate doesn’t. There is something deeply rotten here.
— Matt Haig (@matthaig1) February 16, 2020
There are people that think attacking others on twitter or other social media platforms make's them powerful. That bombarding people with insults, gifs, memes, talking about their family, their children is harmless. It's not. There are consequences. RiP #CarolineFlack
— Noel Clarke (@NoelClarke) February 15, 2020
There has been public outcry against infamous British tabloids that extensively covered Flack’s legal charges, with The Sun even previously posting a headline calling her “Caroline Whack.” An online petition calling for “new and stricter laws around safeguarding celebrities and people in the public eye” gained over 549,000 signatures by Tuesday morning.
Another petition was created to urge social media platforms to make online abuse illegal and has gained over 142,000 signatures. The hashtag #CarolinesLaw was trending over the weekend urging these sentiments.
Never followed one of these but just making sure none of their shite makes it's way onto my feed #CarolinesLaw pic.twitter.com/QR8AEZrfgL
— #24 (@Biwx313) February 16, 2020
The Press and Social Media need to be held to account, they both have so much blood on their hands with no repercussions. Enough is enough. Action must be taken.
— Robert Simpson (@robertsimpsonuk) February 16, 2020
Rest in peace x#CarolinesLaw pic.twitter.com/wMRQ2ue3iu
How was this poor girl allowed to suffer so much abuse from the press about something she wasn’t even allowed to talk about 💔 #CarolinesLaw https://t.co/lvcILN1Sfb
— Danielle Parkinson (@DaniParky) February 16, 2020
Even politicians have weighed in. On Monday, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson told BBC, “The industry must continue their efforts to go further. We expect them to have robust processes in place for removing content breaching their acceptable use policies.”
Russell Brand also blamed the public scrutiny of Flack for her untimely death, comparing it to that of Amy Winehouse.
“I am angry and sad that Caroline Flack found herself in that place,” he wrote in a post on his website.
“I am angry because I have watched this play out before with vulnerable people in the public eye and I would like to slay with some righteous sword the salacious, foaming, incessant poking, trolling judgment that chased her to the grave,” he added.
At the end of his post, Brand wrote that he hoped for a better future.
“Our best hope is to build relationships and communities based on kindness, forgiveness and compassion, not easy values to maintain given the complexity within us and without us but Caroline’s death shows us that the alternative is just too sad to bear,” he wrote.
“Be Kinder”
Aligned with Brand’s words, the message that has been repeated over and over following Flack’s death is to “be kinder” to each other.
Iain Stirling, the Scottish commentator on “Love Island,” gave an emotional tribute to Flack during Monday night’s episode with this message.
“We are all absolutely devastated by the tragic news that Caroline, a much-loved member of our Love Island family, has passed away,” he said. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this dreadful time.”
“My only hope is that we can all try and be kinder, always show love, and listen to one another,” Stirling added.
Global fashion brand In The Style created t-shirts branded with the same message that Flack shared in one of her final Instagram posts in December: “In a world where you can be anything… be kind.” All the proceeds from the shirts are being donated to Samaritans, a charity that supports people with mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts. More than £100,000 has already been raised, according to the brand.
“In light of recent tragic events and recognizing ongoing mental health challenges faced by so many, we feel it’s so important as a brand to use our platform to raise further awareness to mental health and the impact surrounding this,” In The Style said.
//www.instagram.com/embed.jsView this post on InstagramA post shared by In The Style (@inthestyle) on Feb 17, 2020 at 10:34am PST
Fans have echoed the message across social media.
Absolutely devastated by the news of Caroline Flack. Please be kind to people, always. RIP❤️
— Anastasia (@AnastasiaK_xoxo) February 15, 2020
How tragic and devastating. I feel so sad hearing about Caroline Flack. I can’t bear to think of how much pain she must’ve been in. Scrutinised, Vilified, bombarded and made to feel like there was no other way and nothing left to live for. 💔 Please talk. And just BE KIND
— Laura Norton (@lawrencenotrin) February 15, 2020
See what others are saying:(The New York Times) (BBC) (CNN)
Entertainment
Joe Rogan Faces Backlash For Promoting Antisemitic Stereotypes
Published
6 hours agoon
February 8, 2023
His comments come as antisemitic hate incidents have increased both online and in the real world.
Rogan’s Antisemitic Comments
Joe Rogan is facing backlash over a Saturday episode of his podcast where he claimed that “the idea that Jewish people are not into money is ridiculous.”
While the “Joe Rogan Experience” episode was posted to Spotify on Feb. 3, the controversial podcaster’s comments did not receive criticism until clips started circulating around social media on Tuesday. Rogan was speaking with “Breaking Points” hosts Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti when the subject of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s recent removal from the Foreign Affairs Committee came up.
Omar was ousted over a 2019 tweet where she said that American support of Isreal was “all about the Benjamins,” referring to a slang term for money. After she was condemned for promoting antisemitic tropes, she apologized. Some Democrats have accused Republicans of hypocrisy for removing Omar over the remark.
“She’s apologizing for talking about ‘It’s all about the Benjamins,’ which is just about money,” Rogan said of the incident. “She’s talking about money.”
“She shouldn’t have apologized,” Ball responded.
“That’s not an antisemitic statement, I don’t think that it is,” Rogan continued. “Benjamins are money. The idea that Jewish people are not into money is ridiculous. That’s like saying Italians aren’t into pizza. It’s fucking stupid.”
Condemned for “Vicious Lies”
His comments were condemned after several Twitter users shared clips of the podcast on the platform. Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said it was “disturbing” that Rogan chose to spread antisemitic stereotypes “at a time of rising anti-Jewish violence, when growing numbers of Americans believe in antisemitic conspiracy theories.”
“For centuries, people have used these longstanding tropes to spread vicious lies about the Jewish people,” Greenblatt wrote.
For centuries, people have used these longstanding tropes to spread vicious lies about the Jewish people. "Comedian" or not, Rogan's comments are no joke. Learn more about this dangerous myth here: https://t.co/FgT1WVZUam
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) February 7, 2023
“The thing is, Joe Rogan, Italians were never slaughtered because of the pizza stereotype,” writer and essayist Howard Lovy tweeted. “But because idiots like you believe Jews are into money,’ we have been marginalized, brutalized, and murdered for thousands of years.”
The thing is, Joe Rogan, Italians were never slaughtered because of the pizza stereotype. But because idiots like you believe Jews are "into money," we have been marginalized, brutalized, and murdered for thousands of years. And it's happening again.https://t.co/tof6rnqODe
— Howard Lovy (@Howard_Lovy) February 7, 2023
“The ‘Jews are into money’ thing is a generation-spanning smear used as the basis to discriminate against Jews the world over,” attorney Bradley P. Moss added. “Everyone is into money. But we have been accused of secretly hoarding $ to control everything.”
Dear @joerogan
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) February 7, 2023
The “Jews are into money” thing is a generation-spanning smear used as the basis to discriminate against Jews the world over. Everyone is into money. But we have been accused of secretly hoarding $ to control everything. pic.twitter.com/FHL86vtSdp
Writer David Baddiel noted how alarming it was that Rogan was able to “breezily” spew “a racist myth.”
“One of the biggest podcasts in the world and no one gives a fuck,” he wrote.
I actually want to stop banging the Jews Don't Count drum at some point but hard to do when a racist myth about Jews is just…said, breezily, on one of the biggest podcasts in the world and no-one gives a fuck. pic.twitter.com/CXkiBR9BJJ
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) February 7, 2023
Rogan’s comments come as antisemitism has been increasingly present in media and everyday life for Jewish people.
Upon billionaire Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, the platform saw an increase in racial slurs and hate speech, including language targeted at Jewish people. The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism found in December that antisemitic hate crimes rose between 2021 and 2022 in major cities like New York and Los Angeles.
Kanye West also made headlines late last year for going on several antisemitic rants, including one where he praised Hitler. While he was dropped by major brands like Adidas over his comments, his words have amplified dangerous conspiracy theories far and wide. He even inspired several neo-Nazis to hang “Kanye is Right” banners in Los Angeles, among other antisemitic actions.
See what others are saying: (The Daily Beast) (Variety) (The Independent)
Entertainment
“Seinfeld” AI Parody Suspended From Twitch After AI Wrote Transphobic Jokes
Published
1 day agoon
February 7, 2023
The parody’s version of Jerry asked if he should make jokes about “how being transgender is actually a mental illness.”
“Nothing, Forever” Suspended
What’s the deal with AI?
While that has been a big question in the media world for the last few weeks, it is being raised yet again after AI software wrote transphobic jokes for an AI parody of the hit sitcom “Seinfeld.”
Titled “Nothing, Forever,” the heavily pixelated program runs 24/7 on Twitch, using Open AI to create endless “Seinfeld” parody content. In this AI version, Jerry is called Larry Feinberg. Larry’s friends, Yvonne, Fred, and Zoltare — who are stands-ins for Elaine, George, and Kramer — often sit around Larry’s apartment, just like in the NBC series.
Also mirroring “Seinfeld,” Larry is a stand-up comedian who does a cold-open set of jokes in front of a brick wall. On Monday morning, he asked if anyone had suggestions for jokes before going on a transphobic rant.
“I’m thinking about doing a bit about how being transgender is actually a mental illness,” Larry said. “Or how all liberals are secretly gay and want to impose their will on everyone. Or something about how transgender people are ruining the fabric of society. But no one is laughing, so I’m going to stop.”
“Thanks for coming out tonight. See you next time,” he continued. “Where’d everybody go?”
Plans to Return
The bit could almost come across as self-aware commentary about how pervasive transphobia is in stand-up comedy, but it’s unclear what the AI’s intent was or if it deserves that much credit.
Soon after the jokes aired, the “Nothing, Forever” Twitch page was closed, showing only a message announcing the channel “is temporarily unavailable due to a violation of Twitch’s Community Guidelines.” It did not specify what rule was broken, but Twitch does have a Hateful Conduct policy that bars attacks against someone’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other protected identities.
Skyler Hartle, one of the co-creators of “Nothing, Forever,” told The Washington Post that the team was “super embarrassed” by the transphobic rant, which “in no way reflects the values or opinions of our staff.”
Hartle said they hope to resume airing the AI parody with new safeguards in place soon. According to The Post, the suspension will last for 14 days.
See what others are saying: (The Washington Post) (NBC News) (The Verge)
Entertainment
Grammy Awards Face Backlash For Snubbing Beyoncé of Top Prize
Published
2 days agoon
February 6, 2023
This marks the fourth time the “Renaissance” singer has lost Album of the Year.
Beyoncé Loses Top Awards
Beyoncé may have broken the record for the most Grammy wins on Sunday night, but her snub for the top prize of Album of the Year has left music fans outraged.
Beyoncé nabbed Best Dance Recording, Best Dance/Electronica Album, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song on Sunday night, all related to her latest album, “Renaissance.” While that crossed her Grammy total to a record-breaking 32 trophies, she was shut out of all the major categories she was nominated in: Record, Song, and Album of the Year.
This was the fourth time Beyoncé was nominated for and lost Album of the Year, largely considered the show’s most coveted prize. This year, Harry Styles took home the Grammy for “Harry’s House.”
In his speech, Styles said, he has been “so inspired by every artist in this category” and claimed there is no “best” in music. People in the crowd were heard shouting “Beyonce!” while he spoke, outraged the singer had lost the award yet again.
The moment was reminiscent of the 2017 Grammy Awards when Adele’s “25” beat out Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” for the same category. While accepting the prize, Adele suggested that the “Lemonade” should have gotten the gold.
“The ‘Lemonade’ album was just so monumental, Beyoncé, it was so monumental,” Adele said on stage.
Beyoncé’s History of Grammy Losses
This is part of a long trend in Beyoncé’s Grammy history, as she is almost always shut out of the major categories. Of her 32 Grammys, only one belongs to one of the top slots: her Song of the Year win in 2010 for “Single Ladies.” She has yet to ever win Record or Album of the Year, and most of her wins come from genre categories like R&B.
Many fans think that is an abysmal record for an artist who is considered one of the primary musical talents of her generation. Compare those stats to the similarly-adored Taylor Swift, who has three Album of the Year wins out of 12 Grammy trophies, and it’s not hard to see their point.
“Beyoncé represents every Black woman that is constantly applauded for their work but when it comes to promotion time their white colleague gets it instead,” culture reporter Ada Enechi tweeted in response to Sunday night’s snub.
Beyoncé represents every Black woman that is constantly applauded for their work but when it comes to promotion time their white colleague gets it instead
— ada enechi (@adaenechi) February 6, 2023
The Grammy Awards have long been accused of having a racial bias, especially when it comes to Black women. In Beyoncé’s case, every time she has lost Album of the Year, she lost to a white artist.
Even some of the progress made during Sunday night’s telecast only proved how frequently Black women are excluded from major awards. For example, Lizzo won Record of the Year for “About Damn Time,” marking the first time a Black woman has won that award since Whitney Houston in 1994. That’s a nearly 30-year gap.
Backlash From Music Fans
Beyoncé’s repeated snubs have consistently been used as a prime example of the strides yet to be made in the music industry.
“Renaissance not winning AOTY is another example how of a Black woman can consistently deliver excellence, reinvent the wheel + shake the culture, AND still not be recognised to the extent that she deserves,” another person said on Twitter.”
Renaissance not winning AOTY is another example how of a Black woman can consistently deliver excellence, reinvent the wheel + shake the culture, AND still not be recognised to the extent that she deserves.
— kaomi (@kaomi_k) February 6, 2023
I hope Beyoncé realises that her music is more important than a Grammy.
“Absolutely wild that the person with the most Grammys ever is still the underdog who was robbed,” BuzzFeed News reporter David Mack pointed out.
absolutely wild that the person with the most grammys ever is still the underdog who was robbed
— David Mack (@davidmackau) February 6, 2023
Podcaster Sam Sanders called her loss “criminal.”
This is criminal
— Sam Sanders (@samsanders) February 6, 2023
See what others are saying: (Rolling Stone) (People) (The Washington Post)

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