Rob Thomas, Matchbox 20 frontman and solo artist, has disappointed Australian fans after a racist remark at his Melbourne concert last night.
The star is under fire for his comments about Indigenous Australians after he said, “I keep drinking until I think I’m a black Australian,” during his performance at Rod Laver Arena last night.
The comment came up during a technical glitch mid-show, in relation to the singer’s attempts to cure jet-lag after traveling from New York.
“When you get on the plane, on your way here, you start drinking. I keep drinking until I think I’m Australian. And then I keep drinking until I think I’m a black Australian,” he told the crowd.
The comments faced immediate backlash, with Thomas taking to Facebook this morning to offer an apology,
“After the show in Melbourne tonight while backstage with some of my Australian friends, it was brought to my attention that I said something that is racist and insensitive,” he wrote.
“Please understand that although it is no excuse, I was completely unaware that in Australia there is a polarising social issue happening right now involving indigenous people and alcohol.
“When I was made aware of it, the ground fell out beneath me, and I realised that people may now see me as the exact opposite of who I am.”
Rob wanted fans and those offended to know his apology was deeply heartfelt.
The audience did not receive the comments well. One patron in attendance noted, “The fans were not impressed. Most booed, some laughed.” That was what Paul Cashmere, music journalist, wrote on his website Noise11.
“It was a stupid thing for Rob Thomas, a frequent visitor to Australia, to say. He is not a first time visitor who should be ignorant of Australian history and culture,” Cashmere added.
Watch Rob on Studio 10 last year:
Top Comments
I WAS there and heard the WHOLE thing! Had he said purple Australians there'd be no dramas! He was making a joke about himself and being so drunk that he couldn't tell the colour of his own skin. Does the media report about all the good Rob does in this world? Nooooo because that's not news worthy. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story! I've met Rob on several occasions, I even gave him a hug when he came out in the crowd on Saturday night. He is the complete opposite of racist! He has 4 African Americans in his band and is married to a Hispanic woman! Do your research on the kind of person Rob is! He comes to tour our major cities. He doesn't go to the NT and see how SOME indigenous people live! Are we so up ourselves that we think the worldwide media talk about Australia all the time, reporting on the situation about drinking and our indigenous people? I support Rob 100% because I was there and I have met him several times!
#TeamRob
Is Rob aware of the issue of Indigenous Americans and alcohol?