Australian pop star Tones and I, real name Toni Watson, has spoken about ‘hiding a big black hole’ despite taking out four prizes at this week’s ARIA Awards.
The 26-year-old shared photos of herself on Facebook on Friday at the ARIA Awards, where her joy at winning hid distress at the ‘death threats’ and ‘relentless bullying’ she had received.
The Dance Monkey singer concluded by encouraging other artists to push through and ‘maintain your sense of self’.
Australian pop superstar Tones and I, real name Toni Watson, 26, told Facebook fans in a candid post on Friday that she’s on the receiving end of ‘death threats’ and ‘relentless bullying’
‘People always say ”Tones, how does it feel? It must feel great, what are you feeling? You must be over the moon”,’ Toni began.
‘It does and I don’t want to take anything away from my well-deserved achievements, and to my fans I love you unconditionally, but I have been hiding a big black hole for a while now,’ she continued.
‘[I] feel if I hide it, like most artists do, then how are we going to help the next generation of young artists to come… truth is (and we have all seen it), with success comes judgement and opinions.’
Toni said that while she’s ‘prepared’ for the ‘sickening’ and ‘relentless bullying that follows every proud moment’, it also ‘tears’ her mind in two.
The Dance Monkey artist said that while she’s ‘prepared’ for the ‘sickening’ and ‘relentless bullying that follows every proud moment’, it also ‘tears’ her mind in two
‘I make music, I have chosen to follow my passion in life and stick to it until it stuck to me.
‘I am a very open, honest, caring and good person, and in the dark times of death threats and very harsh judgement from strangers I have never met, I have decided to push past it and show any artist that you can get through it and maintain your sense of self.’
Toni ended on a positive note, telling her fans that we ‘are in this together’.
‘Even though I don’t see an end in sight, this is how I will live my life now. I am Toni Watson, a female artist from Australia. I am going through the best and worst time in my life. And today I am OK.’
Toni picked up a total of four ARIA Awards in Sydney on Wednesday, winning for Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release, Best Independent Release and Breakthrough Artist
Toni picked up a total of four ARIAs on Wednesday, winning for Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release, Best Independent Release and Breakthrough Artist.
Accepting Best Female Artist, she delivered an emotional speech, claiming she wasn’t the most ‘relatable’ singer due to the fact she isn’t into ‘typically girly things’.
‘To me, those things don’t really define what it is to be a female artist in this industry anymore,’ Toni continued to rapturous applause.
‘It’s being brave and courageous and true to yourself. No one could have ever prepared me for the whole world judging me and comparing you to other artists.
Accepting Best Female Artist, she delivered an emotional speech, claiming she wasn’t the most ‘relatable’ singer due to the fact she isn’t into ‘typically girly things’
‘But what’s most important is that you have to be a good person and care about others and carry yourself well.’
Toni started out busking on the streets of Byron Bay, New South Wales back in 2017.
It was there that she met her manager, prompting her to quit her retail job in Melbourne, and move to the Gold Coast to focus on her music.
She was soon uploaded to Triple J’s Unearthed rotation, but it was her hit single, Dance Monkey, which skyrocketed her career.
If you’re struggling with mental health issues, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
The former busker concluded by saying ‘what’s most important is that you have to be a good person and care about others and carry yourself well’