Guy Sebastian withdraws his support for vaccine campaign #VaxTheNation and says he would ‘never tell people what to do when it comes to health’
Musician Guy Sebastian has withdrawn his support for an industry-wide campaign calling on Australians to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
The #VaxTheNation movement is urging Aussies to get vaccinated in order to stop the cycle of lockdowns and help restart the live music industry.
Guy, 39, had shared a post on Instagram endorsing the campaign on Monday, but deleted it just hours later and uploaded a video apologising to his fans.
Change of heart? Musician Guy Sebastian has withdrawn his support for an industry-wide campaign calling on Australians to get the Covid-19 vaccine
The Voice coach appears to have withdrawn his support after being trolled by anti-vaxxers, according to social media users who saw the comments on his initial post.
‘Hello, everybody. I just wanted to jump on here to clear something up,’ he said in his video posted on Monday night.
‘I’m sure some of you today might have seen an industry call-out with the best of intentions for our live music industry, which is absolutely decimated, trying to find a pathway forward so we can all assemble together again.
‘I’ve always done everything that I can to support my industry but the campaign was posted to my page without my direct involvement.
‘And while I, like everyone else in my industry, want things to get going again, it is not my role to communicate in the way that post was communicated.’
‘I’m really sorry’: Guy, 39, had shared a post to Instagram endorsing the #VaxTheNation campaign on Monday, but deleted it hours later and uploaded a video apologising to his fans
‘I would never ever tell people what to do when it comes to their personal health choices,’ Guy added, in reference to the Covid vaccine.
‘I’m very sensitive of it, not only at a public level but even in my personal life with people who have had circumstances that they have to consider when making these choices.’
He continued: ‘I just want to say I’m really sorry. It was not a post that was communicated with love or compassion, which I feel is what’s needed when it comes to addressing things like vaccinations.
‘I just wanted to clarify that so that I could speak my truth and people know how I actually feel. So lots of love.’
Several fans expressed their disappointment after Guy withdrew his support for the campaign, with one tweeting: ‘Is he telling the industry he’s above #VaxTheNation?
‘Once his supporters aren’t allowed into a show there’ll be another backflip! Without the backbone it’ll make it easier for him!’
Perth alternative rock trio Shangrila also commented: ‘Love you Guy Sebastian and I know there’s no winning that fight for you (comments were crazy) but I wish you didn’t back out of this post man. #VaxTheNation.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Guy Sebastian for comment.
Backpedalling: ‘I would never ever tell people what to do when it comes to their personal health choices. I’m very sensitive of it,’ he said in reference to the Covid vaccine
More than 400 Australian artists and performers have joined forces to launch the #VaxTheNation campaign.
Powderfinger, Jimmy Barnes, Tim Minchin, Courtney Barnett, Celeste Barber, Vance Joy, Em Rusciano, Marcia Hines, Midnight Oil and Amy Shark are just some of the big names encouraging fans to get the vaccine to help restart the live music industry.
#VaxTheNation is an initiative created by the newly established LIVE (Live Industry Venues + Entertainment) alliance.
Reaction: Several fans expressed their disappointment after Guy withdrew his support for the campaign, including Perth alternative rock trio Shangrila who tweeted: ‘Love you Guy Sebastian and I know there’s no winning that fight for you (comments were crazy) but I wish you didn’t back out of this post man #VaxTheNation’