Latest news with #EthelCain
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ethel Cain statement apologizes for racism, criticizes 'smear campaign' against her
Ethel Cain is speaking out after controversial comments from her past resurfaced. The singer-songwriter, whose legal name is Hayden Silas Anhedönia, shared a lengthy statement July 9 addressing a series of social media posts made public recently in which she used derogatory and racist language. Cain, 27, verified that the screenshots (mostly from Twitter and the now-defunct platform CuriousCat) were authentic, and launched into an explanation of her late teenage years, seemingly to explain the surfaced comments. In them, Cain uses a racial slur, makes a rape joke, and employs fatphobic and xenophobic language. USA TODAY has reached out to Cain's reps for comment. "I spent my later high-school years being extremely progressive and 'SJW' as they called it at the time, as a way to reject the indoctrination of my environment and rebel against the prejudice, hatred, and ignorance of the culture I grew up in," Cain wrote in the statement posted to a shared Google Drive. "SJW" refers to social justice warrior, a person who has taken up several social causes sometimes overzealously. "After moving out of my parents' house, I fell into a subculture online that prioritized garnering attention at all costs. I flip-flopped again, rejecting all notions of my former 'cringe SJW' behavior and intended to be as inflammatory and controversial as possible," she continued. "I would have said (and usually did say) anything, about anyone, to gain attention and ultimately just make my friends laugh." Cain, a Florida native, catapulted to popularity in 2022 with her debut album "Preacher's Daughter." Her dreamy, ambient sound explores American Gothic themes, drawing on her own upbringing in the Southern Baptist church. With singles like "American Teenager," Cain turns her pen to the holes in American exceptionalism, tearing apart her religious raising and the tragedies of a state at war. Her comments, dating back to 2017 and '18, stand at odds with the version of herself projected in the music. "I could tell you that I had no idea at the time the platform I would have in the future, or tell you I just have a dry and extremely sarcastic sense of humor, or make any other kind of excuse, but there's no place for excuses in this matter," Cain continued in her statement. "At the end of the day, I am white, so while I can take accountability for my actions, there's no way for me to fully understand the way it feels to be on the receiving end of them. All I can say is that I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart, to anyone who read it then and to anyone reading it now. Any way you feel about me moving forward is valid. "This was a chapter of my life I look back at shamefully. I am not proud of my actions, and I have done my best to bury it as I feel strongly that no good can come from it," she wrote. "As I move forward through my life, I aim to use my platform for good, for change, and for progress." Shifting from atonement to anger, Cain went on to accuse a group of intentionally leaking the screenshots, not to promote dialogue but to smear her online. "All of these things resurfacing are not the actions of a well-meaning individual concerned by something they discovered easily and casually on the internet," she argued. "These are screenshots obtained through extensive digging, hacking, and cooperative effort amongst a group of individuals who do not care who else is hurt by witnessing this media as long as I am ultimately hurt the worst in the end. "I've known that all of these separate pieces of my past have been found and hoarded over the past couple years as I've been tipped off in various ways," Cain continued. "This massive smear campaign has been a long time in the making, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed, and now it finally has. "All they crave is the complete emotional destruction of me as a person," she wrote. "Personal accounts of mine have been hacked, my family has been doxxed and harassed, photos of me as a child and intimate details of my past have been passed around for fun." Cain, who is transgender, went on to address one by one the series of accusations made against her by what she called a "transphobic brigade of individuals." The accusations run the gamut, drawing not only from the social media screenshots but from deep dives into the art that she used to promote her music. Taking accountability for the racism baked into many of her earlier comments, Cain said that's where she would stop, and that the other "ridiculous material" was mere "brutal slander." "No I am not a violent misogynist fetishizing the 'female experience'. No I am not the creator of child pornography, nor am I a pedophile, a zoophile, or a porn-addicted incest fetishist," she said. "I urge you to recognize the patterns of a transphobic/otherwise targeted smear campaign, especially in this political day and age. "This entire situation is negligent, sensationalized, and extremely dangerous not only for myself but for all my loved ones."
Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ethel Cain responds to backlash for past racist statements and allegations in full statement
Ethel Cain has come under intense scrutiny after old social media content from her teenage years resurfaced online, prompting widespread backlash and serious allegations. The posts, mostly dating from 2017 to 2018, were circulated on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), and appear to show the artist using racist language, promoting offensive humour, and referencing taboo topics. Among the most serious claims are allegations that Cain, then 19, used the N-word and posted anti-Latino remarks like 'build that wall!' She was also seen in a photo wearing a shirt reading 'LEGALIZE INCEST' and has been accused of creating art interpreted by some as referencing child sexual abuse. Other content included rape jokes, fat-shaming, and a post allegedly making light of sexual abuse involving animals. Critics further allege that Cain knowingly signed to Dr. Luke's publishing company, Prescription Songs, despite public knowledge of his legal battle with Kesha. A promotional poster for her 2022 album Preacher's Daughter also drew criticism for resembling a real missing child notice, with many calling it careless and offensive. Additionally, Cain has been accused of fetishising trauma and the female experience in her work—claims she strongly denies. In a statement shared on July 9, Cain confirmed the posts were hers, saying, 'That was my account and they were my words.' She added, 'I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart,' but insisted many of the more extreme allegations are the result of a 'targeted smear campaign.' She said her actions as a teen were driven by a desire for attention and rebellion against her upbringing. Cain also revealed that she had been raped at the time some of the content was created, and that some work was an attempt to process trauma. Her new album Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You is set to release August 8.
Metro
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Singer Ethel Cain admits she is 'not proud' of disturbing posts after backlash
Ethel Cain has posted a lengthy message after a slew of disturbing posts emerged, including her wearing a t-shirt which said 'legalise incest' on it. Screenshots began circulating, said to be shared by the 27-year-old singer in 2017 and 2018, featuring offensive language and alleged child pornography. Another image that Cain is accused of drawing and sharing on the site Curious Cats, parodied a missing persons poster for a nine-year-old girl who was murdered. Initially shared by X account Herweirdsilas, posting under the name 'Exposing', the questionable content quickly gained traction. After a few days of the images circulating Cain, whose real name is Hayden Silas Anhedönia, addressed the controversy via a Google Doc, admitting to the posts. She wrote that at 19 – during the time of the posts – she had 'fallen into a subculture online that prioritised garnering attention at all costs'. The American Teenager singer added: '[I] intended to be as inflammatory and controversial as possible. I would have said (and usually did say) anything, about anyone, to gain attention and ultimately just make my friends laugh.' Addressing her use of the N-word directly, Cain continued: 'At the end of the day I am white, so while I can take accountability for my actions, there's no way for me to fully understand the way it feels to be on the receiving end of them. 'All I can say is that I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart, to anyone who read it then and to anyone reading it now. Any way you feel about me moving forward is valid.' In her statement – which can be found here – Cain directly addresses each post, including the incest t-shirt, which she clarifies was 'never sold as merch'. 'Regarding the topic of incest in my artwork, it's a layered experience,' she wrote. 'I have always been interested in creating art centered around the taboo. 'Rather, as a lonely and confused child I had my own complicated personal struggles with the concept during puberty (in a hypothetical manner, not involving anyone in my actual family). I have since untangled these feelings and I now understand their root. 'While sometimes the topic of incest may get intermingled on a song with my own experiences of sexual abuse or my own familial traumas, I have never and would never fetishise such a sensitive subject.' She said she was 'not proud of her actions' and has tried to 'bury' this past in order to move forward with her life. However, even if she looks back 'shamefully' at the time, Cain stated the resurfacing of her posts is 'not the actions of a well-meaning individual'. 'These are screenshots obtained through extensive digging, hacking and cooperative effort amongst a group of individuals who do not care who else is hurt by witnessing this media as long as I am ultimately hurt the worst in the end,' she accused. Cain, a transwoman, called this a 'targeted smear campaign' against her and urged fans to 'recognise the patterns of transphobia'. 'To try and sum everything up, no I am not a violent misogynist fetishising the 'female experience',' she wrote. 'No I am not the creator of child pornography, nor am I a pedophile, a zoophile, or a porn-addicted incest fetishist. More Trending 'This information was hoarded until the perfect moment arose to unleash it. In this case, a baseless attempt to assassinate my boyfriend's character became the catalyst. 'He will address these claims in his own time on his own terms and I support him wholeheartedly. This entire situation is negligent, sensationalised, and extremely dangerous, not only for myself but for all my loved ones.' Cain's posts were made around the time of her early EP releases. She has since gone on to release three studio recordings – the latest of which is due out in August. Her previous album Preacher's Daughter and January 2025 release Perverts both saw moderate chart success in the US and UK. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Grammy-winning star battling cancer fears 'cruel' deportation under new Trump law MORE: Rock frontman addresses 'deafening booing' at Black Sabbath's and Ozzy Osbourne's final concert MORE: Fall Out Boy icon steps away from band to 'avoid permanent damage' to hand
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ethel Cain issues public apology for 8-year-old racist posts, calls them ‘shameful' ahead of new album launch
American singer-songwriter Ethel Cain has issued a public apology after old social media posts containing racist and offensive content resurfaced online. The posts, made when she was 19, included the use of racial slurs, offensive jokes about rape and body image, and controversial images. The posts began circulating on Reddit and X, just weeks ahead of the release of her second album, Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You, slated for August. Cain, whose real name is Hayden Anhedönia, shared a lengthy statement on Instagram on July 9, acknowledging her past remarks and expressing remorse. 'I was 19 and I was entirely aware of what I was saying and that was why I said it,' Cain wrote. 'All I can say is that I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Cain admitted the accounts and posts in question were hers. She described her younger self as deliberately provocative, seeking attention through inflammatory language. In the statement, she said she no longer stands by those views and now looks back on that time "shamefully." She rejected excuses for her behavior, saying: 'At the end of the day, I am white… I can take accountability for my actions, but there's no way for me to fully understand the way it feels to be on the receiving end of them.' Live Events Cain said that she intends to use her platform for progress and atonement through her actions going forward. Claims of Harassment and Hacking While apologizing, Cain also pushed back against the manner in which the posts were unearthed. She alleged that the resurfacing was part of a deliberate 'smear campaign' involving hacking, harassment, and doxxing. 'These are screenshots obtained through extensive digging, hacking, and cooperative effort amongst a group of individuals,' she wrote. 'This information was hoarded until the perfect moment arose to unleash it.' She claimed personal accounts were compromised, her family was targeted, and private childhood photos were circulated. Her team is reportedly pursuing legal action. Responds to Specific Allegations Cain also addressed more serious claims, including accusations related to artwork some deemed inappropriate and a photo that critics alleged suggested animal abuse. She denied all such accusations, explaining them in context: She said a homemade shirt with 'Legalize Incest' was a provocative joke during a time she sought shock value online. Cain explained that a character in her art, allegedly depicted in sexualized ways, represented her trauma after a sexual assault. The character was of legal age, mirroring Cain's own. Describing the image as a moment at a party, she called the allegation 'absurd.' She admitted to mistakenly using a poster linked to a real child's case as part of an album promo. She apologized, calling it careless but unintentional. Pushes Back Against 'Fetishization' Claims Cain also responded to accusations that her work 'fetishizes' the female experience and trauma. As a transgender woman, she defended her right to explore themes of abuse and fear in her art. 'Preacher's Daughter is a deeply personal story to me, born from my traumas and deepest fears,' she said. 'If it reads as a fetish to you, then that is your problem and not mine.' Ethel Cain rose to fame with her 2022 debut Preacher's Daughter, which was widely praised for its raw storytelling and haunting sound. As one of the most prominent transgender artists in pop and alternative music today, Cain's public reckoning comes at a sensitive moment amid political polarization and increased scrutiny of public figures' digital histories.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ethel Cain Says She Hunted Down Synths From the ‘Twin Peaks' Soundtrack to Make ‘Nettles'
Ethel Cain is getting ready to release her album Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You on Aug. 8, and on Wednesday, she shared a preview of the project by offering her eight-minute single 'Nettles.' In an Instagram story posted to one of her art accounts, she said that the song was inspired by Twin Peaks, and that she hunted down the specific synths that composer Angelo Badalamenti used to make the show's classic theme song. 'Also fun fact,' she wrote in her Instagram story. 'To everyone saying the song reminds them of Twin Peaks; late last year i watched that video of angelo badalamenti explaining how he wrote laura's theme and loved it so much that i hunted down the synths he used for the twin peaks and bought them and those are the ones i used for 'willoughby.' that video is also the reason i decided to watch twin peaks lol.' More from Rolling Stone Ethel Cain Will Follow Album Release With 'Willoughby Tucker Forever' Tour Ethel Cain Says '#KillMoreCEOs': 'Make Them Fear' Bad Bunny, Japanese Breakfast, Ethel Cain, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week In another Instagram story, she continued, 'For those asking, the specific keyboard I used for the nettles intro (i call them my angelo synths) was a Yamaha DX7s.' Badalamenti collaborated on the music with the show's creator David Lynch and singer-songwriter Julee Cruise, eventually creating the theme song 'Falling.' The classic track was the cornerstone of the 1990 soundtrack Music From Twin Peaks, and the song went on to win the 1991 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Cain said in a statement that 'Nettles' was written around the same time as her last album. 'This song and the last track on the record were both written the same week, the very first week I moved into the house in Alabama where I finished Preacher's Daughter,' Cain said. 'In similar fashion to Preacher's Daughter (specifically 'A House in Nebraska' and 'Strangers'), I wrote what essentially became the beginning and end of the story without realizing it. What were originally just little vignettes of emotion I was feeling at the time ultimately became the tentpoles for a larger narrative.' She added, ''Nettles' became a dream of losing the one you love, asking them to reassure you that it won't come true and to dream, instead, of all the time you'll have together as you grow old side by side. Every once in a blue moon, it feels good to slough off the macabre and to simply let love be.' In an interview with Rolling Stone, Cain opened up about her creative process and says she has multiple characters and generations all tied to the same universe across her albums. 'This is going to be 15, 20 years from now,' she says. 'I work very slow. That's how I like it.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
