Fans React As Matty Healy Doubles Down On Apology, 'Pledge To Do Better'

Matty Healy has issued another public apology for his controversial behavior, which included making racist and misogynistic remarks.

Earlier this year, The 1975 frontman faced backlash when past comments resurfaced, particularly in the context of his relationship with Taylor Swift. Some of his comments included explicit remarks about masturbating to clips of women "being brutalized" and racist impressions of rapper Ice Spice.

Healy, who's the son of "Loose Women" actress, Denise Welch, has continued reflecting on his past behavior and controversial comments during recent tours. At his band's Hollywood Bowl concert on Monday night, where he also announced their "indefinite hiatus," the singer publicly apologized once more.

The record producer stated that even though he had been attempting to portray the character of a "21st-century rock star," he recognized when he'd gone too far and needed accountability. As he said: 

"Because some of my actions have hurt some people, I apologize to those people, and I pledge to do better moving forward. I think it's also important that I express my intentions, so everybody knows that there is no ill will coming from me. You see, as an artist, I want to create an environment for myself to perform where not everything that I do is taken literally."

Explaining the complexity of it all, the 34-year-old stated that he has "kind of performed exaggerated versions" of himself on other stages, whether "in print or on podcasts and in an often misguided attempt at fulfilling the kind of character role of the 21st century rock star."

"Sometimes playing pretend is the only way you can truly find out who you are, and you could probably also say that men would rather do offensive impressions for attention than go to therapy," Healy concluded.

Since the entire apology was captured on video and subsequently posted on X, fans had the opportunity to share their thoughts. While one person claimed that the "Robbers" hitmaker was "very brave and mature," another noted, "Wow. He actually did sound sincere. The last line about making offensive jokes rather than going to therapy - quite apropos and poignant."

"A little late don't you think- ? one apology isn't going to make for all of the s— you did," a third netizen informed the "Somebody Else" singer, as a doubtful viewer wondered, "how do we know it's not satire. at this point  i wouldn't take anything he says seriously."

Similarly, a fifth X user penned, "well, i guess blaming your blatant racism on playing an "exaggerated version of yourself" is one way of saying you're only kinda racist," and a sixth added, "man can you at least patch things up with ice spice first before pulling this s—."

Fans would recall that Healy had mimicked Spice using stereotypical accents while asserting, "Yeah, that's what Ice Spice is like," during an appearance on the "The Adam Friedland Show" podcast in February. Despite it happening early in the year, it wasn't until recently that the "Boy's a Liar pt. 2" artist addressed it, sharing:

"When I had heard that little podcast or whatever, I was so confused. Because I heard 'chubby Chinese lady' or some s— like that, and I'm like, 'Huh? What does that even mean?' First of all, I'm thick. What do you mean Chinese? What? But then they apologized."

Still on Healy's public mishaps, the "Love It If We Made It" artist had landed his band in trouble when he protested against anti-gay laws during a performance in Malaysia by kissing a male bandmate.

The action resulted in The 1975 getting hit with a $2.7 million damages claim from the show's organizers Future Sound Asia (FSA) for an alleged contract breach at the aforementioned Malaysian music festival.

In case you missed it, the NME Awards winner had opened up about the country's anti-gay laws, telling the Kuala Lumpur crowd, "I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with."

He then emphasized his frustration at the lack of uplifting songs in the band's set due to his anger. In the words of the BRIT Awards winner:

"Unfortunately, you don't get a set of loads of uplifting songs because I'm f*cking furious and that's not fair on you, because you're not representative of your government because you are young people, and I'm sure a lot of you are gay and progressive and cool."

Upon wrapping up the passionate speech, Healy shared a kiss with the band's bassist Ross MacDonald on stage signaling the end of the show.