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Jack Antonoff Has Hilarious Comeback For Earplugs Controversy During Katy Perry’s VMA Performance
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Jack Antonoff Has Hilarious Comeback For Earplugs Controversy During Katy Perry’s VMA Performance

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Jack Antonoff is tuning out the music — literally. The singer–songwriter is being slammed as “disrespectful” after wearing earplugs during Katy Perry’s VMAs performance Wednesday night, but his comeback is hilarious. 

When Katy Perry took the stage to perform a medley of her greatest hits, the audience camera panned to Jack casually slipping in noise-canceling plugs into his ears.

Highlights
  • Jack Antonoff wore earplugs during Katy Perry's VMAs performance, sparking controversy.
  • Fans accused Jack of being disrespectful, but he responded with humor and sarcasm.
  • Critics believe Jack's actions might be related to Katy's past feud with Taylor Swift.

Safe to say, many of Katy’s fans were not happy and began to call out the producer for being “disrespectful.”

Jack has since brushed off these rumors and addressed the critics.

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    The music producer was quick to poke fun at the rumors with a sarcastic response

    Image credits: Kevin Mazur / Getty

    Just a day after the VMAs, Taylor Swift’s longtime collaborator took to X to set the record straight.

    “I would like to tell you directly from me that I did in fact use earplugs the other night,” Jack said. “They were blue ‘hearos’ brand and I’m mortified to admit that I’ve been using them for a long time as well as buying them in bulk.”

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    Image credits: Kevin Mazur / Getty

    He later added to the light response by saying, “There is nothing left to do but apologize and thank those who have covered this story because although it’s an embarrassment to my family and I, I do believe that this was a very important and pressing issue that needed to be exposed.”

    After clips surfaced of the moment, fans presumed Jack was blocking out Katy’s performance after her past feud with Taylor. However, Taylor was seen dancing and clapping during the show. Perry has also been spotted at Swift’s Eras Tour.

    Fans have noted this isn’t the first time Jack has “shaded” Katy

    Image credits: Katy Perry China

    The two singers certainly have a complicated history, according to those on social media.

    In 2014, Jack referred to Katy’s music as “throwaway” when comparing it to Taylor Swift’s. He had also helped Taylor produce her 2016 revenge album “Reputation” — when the pop star was rumored to have written “Bad Blood” about Katy. 

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    Jack had additionally been seen eating a banana during Katy’s opening monologue at the 2017 VMAs — something the Internet found rude.

    Netizens are divided on whether or not the act was a subtle jab at the “Roar” singer

    Image credits: jackantonoff

    Some critics on X have expressed their opinions on the impolite gesture.

    “Jack Antonoff hates Katy Perry so much that he even used an airpod while she was performing at the vmas,” one wrote as another added, “THAT man is so disgustingly disrespectful.”

    Others aren’t so sure about jumping to this conclusion, especially after Jack’s response.

    “It’s not airpods, they’re earplugs,” someone said. “They protect your hearing and you can listen to loud concerts perfectly.”

    Many comments bring up Jack’s behavior as a way to justify their opinion

    Image credits: hunter_wesley

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    Michelle Tian

    Michelle Tian

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Hi, there! I'm a newswriter at Bored Panda, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University, as well as a philosophy minor. A few of my other hobbies include dancing, reading, cooking, or listening to a true crime podcast. My favourite thing to report on includes groundbreaking news in the field of science — particularly marine biology! I definitely didn't do well very well studying it in school, but being a journalist lets me live out those dreams in a different and exciting way!

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    Michelle Tian

    Michelle Tian

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Hi, there! I'm a newswriter at Bored Panda, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University, as well as a philosophy minor. A few of my other hobbies include dancing, reading, cooking, or listening to a true crime podcast. My favourite thing to report on includes groundbreaking news in the field of science — particularly marine biology! I definitely didn't do well very well studying it in school, but being a journalist lets me live out those dreams in a different and exciting way!

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    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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    Renan Duarte

    Renan Duarte

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    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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    POST
    Otto Katz
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He's smart. It's important to protect your hearing while you still have it. It's no fun wearing hearing aids at 60 after not doing anything to damage your hearing while younger, imagine how bad it would be after being exposed to very loud music, or construction equipment, or hunting, for 45 or 50 years.... I'm wearing hearing aids now, it's a pain in the äss.

    boredkoala
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What? I go to a LOT of shows and ALWAYS wear Earplugs. I do use the reusable ones designed for music listening, but still, it's really important to protect your hearing!

    Zoe Vokes
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a fear about eventually developing Tinnitus. I’m barely ever exposed to loud noises but I know people who have it and it sounds like hell to me. I like the peace and quiet.

    Load More Replies...
    G A
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ear protectors? For loud music? When your hearing is a massively important part of your job? What an insult! Honestly theses freaks are so far from reality it's unreal.

    Load More Comments
    Otto Katz
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He's smart. It's important to protect your hearing while you still have it. It's no fun wearing hearing aids at 60 after not doing anything to damage your hearing while younger, imagine how bad it would be after being exposed to very loud music, or construction equipment, or hunting, for 45 or 50 years.... I'm wearing hearing aids now, it's a pain in the äss.

    boredkoala
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What? I go to a LOT of shows and ALWAYS wear Earplugs. I do use the reusable ones designed for music listening, but still, it's really important to protect your hearing!

    Zoe Vokes
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a fear about eventually developing Tinnitus. I’m barely ever exposed to loud noises but I know people who have it and it sounds like hell to me. I like the peace and quiet.

    Load More Replies...
    G A
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ear protectors? For loud music? When your hearing is a massively important part of your job? What an insult! Honestly theses freaks are so far from reality it's unreal.

    Load More Comments
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