Louis Theroux sparks Twitter row after praising slain XXXTentacion

British documentary-maker Louis Theroux has been forced to clarify comments he made praising murdered US rapper XXXTentacion after angry reaction on Twitter.

Theroux, 48, posted shortly after news broke of his death in Florida last Monday that the 20-year-old rapper, who had a history of domestic violence and homophobia, was a ‘huge talent’ with ‘personal demons’.

However, his comments quickly attracted a deluge of rage from many who felt the television star, who has filmed much of his work in the US, was ‘excusing homophobia and domestic violence’.

 

Louis Theroux has faced angry comments since his tribute tweet to slain rapper XXXTentacion. The 48-year-old presenter said the rising star, killed last week, was a huge talent with ‘personal demons’…but many took offence at the praise considering Tentacion’s history of domestic violence

XXXTentacion was shot at a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield, Florida on June 18th. The rising star had spent time in prison on domestic violence charges

XXXTentacion was shot at a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield, Florida on June 18th. The rising star had spent time in prison on domestic violence charges

The documentary-maker has responded to calls for an apology, saying he 'hears' those who felt his original tweet might have done a 'disservice to victims of domestic violence'

The documentary-maker has responded to calls for an apology, saying he ‘hears’ those who felt his original tweet might have done a ‘disservice to victims of domestic violence’

XXXTentacion was killed on June 18th after two armed suspects reportedly shot him dead having approached his vehicle as he left a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield, Florida.

The murdered rapper was a rising star with a controversial past and had spent time behind bars for violent domestic abuse against a pregnant ex-girlfriend.

Theroux paid tribute last week, saying: ‘Notwithstanding personal demons, he was a huge talent & bringing a beautiful new feel to hip hop. So sad. #moonlight’    

Many reacting to the tribute chastised Louis Theroux for his remarks, saying they appeared to associate domestic violence with being a ‘personal demon’.

Rapper XXXTentacion was followed into Riva Motorcycle Sports (where he is pictured during another visit before his death) on Monday then his attackers waited for him in the parking lot before shooting him dead as he tried to leave 

Rapper XXXTentacion was followed into Riva Motorcycle Sports (where he is pictured during another visit before his death) on Monday then his attackers waited for him in the parking lot before shooting him dead as he tried to leave 

@FandomsAndTea wrote: ‘@louistheroux, I feel like you should issue a statement, or an apology, for the damaging remarks you made. 

‘You have fame and power and if people are you excusing homophobia and domestic violence as “personal demons” they’ll copy you.’

@SamuelMcCabe agreed, saying: ‘I don’t think we should mourn a man who was arrested and charged with beating his pregnant girlfriend. 

‘I don’t wish death on anyone but to pretend this dude was a force for good and eulogise him Definitely not.’

@wee_frumpy penned: ‘So disappointed in you. By personal demons do you mean abusing women & violent homophobia?’  

Theroux, who made his name interviewing popular television personalities including late magician Paul Daniels and his wife Debbie McGee, responded to requests for an apology with a comment clarifying his earlier remarks

Theroux, who made his name interviewing popular television personalities including late magician Paul Daniels and his wife Debbie McGee, responded to requests for an apology with a comment clarifying his earlier remarks

@birminghamb6 added: ‘Not personal demons Louis, a life of unabated violence I think is the phrase you are looking for.’ 

After the strongly-worded comments continued, Theroux responded yesterday saying he understood why his original tweet might have been misinterpreted.  

The 48-year-old star, who shot to fame for his fly-on-the-wall documentaries with Jimmy Savile, Paul Daniels and the Hamiltons, posted:  ‘My tweet about XXXTentacion was meant to acknowledge the sadness of the death of a 20yo. 

‘I don’t believe compassion sd be reserved only for the righteous. But I hear all those who felt my comment did a disservice to victims of domestic violence.’

Florida police have alleged that XXXTentacion was deliberately targeted by two assailants on Monday who followed him into a motorcycle store.

The 20-year-old was gunned down outside Riva Motorsports in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Dedrick Williams, 22, has been arrested for his death. He is one of the two men alleged to have carried out the attack. The other has not yet been traced.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk