Matty Healy is reflecting on his “self-destructive” tendencies online after his internet feud with (and violent threat against) Azealia Banks earlier this week. On Thursday, the 1975 frontman shared a lengthy post on his band’s Reddit channel, saying he was “embarrassed” by his actions.
“What a bad day, I really let myself down,” he wrote. “I have worked so hard to move past these impulsive self-destructive and honestly quite volatile outbursts I have. I’m constantly making trouble for myself for no reason, I come back to social media after depressive episodes (which is NOT an excuse) because I often become sober, so as an addict when I’m not using I pick up social media my new way of ‘consuming’ and changing how I feel.”
“I just feel dreadful about how I acted violent – I think Azealia and all [obviously] flawed people all deep down have a heart and I hate that I have contributed to her mental fragility,” he added. “She’s a human. This cultural discourse has become so violent in general.”
Healy said he doesn’t “regret” who he is or has been, but wrote that he feels gross for “having said anything negative ever about anything – if it’s contributed to this culture.” (He’s been slammed for his comments about Ice Ice Spice’s appearance in the past.)
“I’m not here saying this cos I feel bullied and scared. I’m embarrassed man. And I’m sad. And I want this 1975 world to be dreamy and wonderful again,” Healy said. “Not some black mirror episode about being a fucking hipster.”
“I hope to put as much work into our need and desire for altruism and understanding and love as I have about the dangers of becoming an internet lunatic,” he added. “Cos that happened to me and it’s was real but it’s time to move on as an artist. Sending you all love.”
The Reddit post from Healy comes after Banks threatened to sue him after he threatened her with physical violence. “Talk to me like that I’m not gonna side eye you at an awards show do I’ll fucking slap you so hard I’ll get a Guinness world record for the highest a rat some bitch calls a wig has ever flown,” he wrote. His remarks were in defense of his wife Gabbriette, who got caught in an online scuffle after Banks blasted Charli XCX, his bandmate George Daniel’s partner.
Healy took a shot at Banks this week after she said Charli “used to be” pretty. “Azealia you seem to have a blind spot when it comes to your ‘reads,’” he wrote. “All the women you attack seem to be culturally relevant, attractive, divisive and NICE people. I think this makes you jealous cos you’re so talented but everything else about you is a failure. Just rap bro.”
