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Singer Maggie Rogers Calls Out Behavior Of Concertgoer Who Yelled 'Take Your Top Off' During Vulnerable Moment
Maggie Rogers is officially all out if patience for sexist catalcallers.
At her performance in Austin, Texas on Saturday night, the singer decided she'd had enough after an audience member yelled at her to take her top off.
While Rogers was performing an acoustic version of her song "Alaska," a male audience member at Austin City Limits Live yelled:
"Take your top off!"
Another member of the audience reportedly followed this up with a shouted:
"You cute though."
The singer put out a statement via Twitter the next day in response to the incident.
“take your top off” https://t.co/pqTmWlYIQ6— Maggie Rogers (@Maggie Rogers) 1571593443.0
In the statement, posted as two images of text, Rogers said that the interruptions to her performance invalidated the vulnerable talk about "gratitude growth and change" that she has before she performs the acoustic version of "Alaska," as well as the open and accepting environment she strives for during performances.
"i was stunned. furious. fuming. confused. and also—at a really basic level—it really hurt my feelings."
She went on to talk about what performing on stage means to her.
"i step on stage every night and give every part of me. and my community shows up every night and together, we create a safe space to amplify each other. to allow relief. to allow release. there is a deep amount of trust there."
She talked about how she sees making music as her job and being able to share it with audiences as a privilege.
She then made sure nobody could misunderstand her stance on harassment.
"i want to use this moment to be very clear. there is no space for harassment or disrespect or degradation of any kind at my show."
She finished with the message:
"be kind to each other out there."
Reactions to Rogers' declaration were almost unanimously supportive.
Her true fans don't have any patience for sexist interruptions during vulnerable moments of her shows, or in general, either.
@maggierogers So sorry to hear that. My wife and I came to see you at the Greek and were so impressed by your poise… https://t.co/QH6AacoTZM— Peter Brack (@Peter Brack) 1571597282.0
@tyleroakley @maggierogers Everyone does.— samantha s. (@samantha s.) 1571598332.0
@maggierogers Maggie, I'm so sorry this happened. It changed the entire dynamic of the room in a nanosecond. You ha… https://t.co/2WDG5Ia46x— Matt Shiv (@Matt Shiv) 1571594062.0
@maggierogers I will never understand why people do this. Being abrasive achieves nothing. Your shows are a sacred… https://t.co/46wUigf9cu— piper (@piper) 1571594004.0
@maggierogers I am so sorry that happened, Maggie. My husband and I attended the show and thought you were phenomen… https://t.co/jGuCOOYHdx— Kennon Wooten (@Kennon Wooten) 1571634670.0
Many thought the cat callers should be ashamed of themselves for interrupting such a real and intimate moment.
@maggierogers Cannot apologize enough for that atrocious behavior from our crowd. I hope tonight you can return to… https://t.co/ZGTZosOZcg— Kerry (@Kerry) 1571595128.0
@maggierogers watching this yesterday was heartbreaking, i admire you and thank you for all you do 💛— dav (@dav) 1571593972.0
@maggierogers Your concerts are so open and emotional. You truly make a connection with your audience. To have some… https://t.co/5v9FXTYCrn— Siera (@Siera) 1571594481.0
Several people thanked Maggie for calling out such inappropriate behavior and reminding everyone that it is not OK.
@maggierogers @JaxAlemany people don't discuss enough how difficult advocating for yourself is. it is exhausting an… https://t.co/f2zTJYP89D— Peter W. Kaplan (@Peter W. Kaplan) 1571597796.0
@maggierogers I was there when it happened it was awful and disgusting you should never feel uncomfortable no one s… https://t.co/RQOk2Z9N6O— Lostdemdem (@Lostdemdem) 1571630573.0
Anyone who has performed on stage has shared an intimate part of themselves with the audience while doing so.
Public performance, especially of their own work, is a very vulnerable thing. It is like sharing a part of their soul with everyone in the audience.
It is easy to see why that sharing of self being mocked with catcalls during an especially vulnerable moment of the performance could be devastating.
The number of folks in the comments on Maggie's tweet who were asking how they could help if this happened at a concert they attended gives hope that the culture around catcalling is shifting. Instead of being something that is uncomfortably ignored in polite company, people are ready to actively fight it.
Rogers latest album, Heard It In A Past Life, is available here.
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Have you listened to the first season of George Takei's podcast, 'Oh Myyy Pod!'?
In season one we explored the racially charged videos that have taken the internet by storm.
We're hard at work on season two so be sure to subscribe here so you don't miss it when it goes live.
Here's one of our favorite episodes from season one. Enjoy!