Welcome to Outrage Watch, HitFix's semi-regular rundown of entertainment-related kerfuffles. Not feeling anxious enough already? Get your fix of righteous indignation below, and stay posted for outrage updates throughout the week.
As a longtime outrage watcher, a headline like “Justin Bieber defecated on memory of Kurt Cobain with cringeworthy Seattle gig” is going to catch my attention. Here's the story, from Consequence of Sound:
As Alternative Nation points out, Biebs was in full douche mode during a recent concert in the Emerald City, mimicking the real-life rocker”s fashion styles to uncomfortable levels. He not only wore two plaid shirts (one of which was tied around his waist, mind you), he also bore a Kurt Cobain t-shirt, ripped up a thousand dollar pair of blue jeans, and styled his dirty blonde hair in a way eerily similar to the grunge icon.
Worse yet, he performed a portion of his set as if he was fronting Nirvana”s 1993 MTV Unplugged performance:
This isn't the first time Bieber has become the target of ridicule for co-opting Cobain's thrift store style; back in November, the singer was spotted at the American Music Awards wearing a $1,500 Nirvana t-shirt. Such a man of the people! At the time, Bieber's stylist responded (perhaps disingenuously) this way: “I'm sure Kurt Cobain would be like-I mean I can't speak for him obviously-but I don't think he was so snotty or that he would diss anyone who appreciated his music.”
In any event, guess what? “Channeling” a beloved alternative music icon isn't about to win Bieber any new fans. Here's a sampling of outrage from across the social medias:
Why why why why whyyyy did anyone let .@justinbieber do this? #JustinBieber #KurtCobain https://t.co/t7aBxJzPmM
– Alice Nicolov (@alicenicolov72) March 15, 2016
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So Justin Bieber wants to arrogantly prance about dishonoring Kurt Cobain? Even though modern music wouldn't be here without him? Ignorant
– Dakota Brugler (@Dakstroe) March 15, 2016
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Something tells me #Cobain wouldn't have been a #BelieBer. https://t.co/nEmklVqYp6 pic.twitter.com/QEmuvrTL1t
– Elise Baros (@elise_baros) March 15, 2016
https://t.co/Jt468lHDRg I think Bieber listened to “Rape Me” one too many times and took it as a challenge.
– Ultra Rage Beam (@SA_Rageaholic) March 15, 2016
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Gross. There's no other way to describe this. Gross. https://t.co/olSqM20bMV
– Nate Sjol (@natesjol) March 15, 2016
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Kurt Cobain would literally roll over in his grave if he knew Justin Bieber was wearing Nirvana tee shirts around????
– Chris Morgan (@ChrisMorgan1992) March 11, 2016
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The fact that Justin Bieber wore a Kurt Cobain shirt on stage in Seattle last night makes me wanna vomit.
– Caitlyn Chandler (@cupcait96) March 11, 2016
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Pro tip: If you're thinking of imitating Kurt Cobain, don't
Posted by Tone Deaf on Tuesday, March 15, 2016