Last Friday (June 17), L.A. Weekly ran an online column about critically acclaimed alt-pop artist Sky Ferreira, which was roundly criticized throughout the media world for being sexist. The piece — which spent an unnerving amount of words describing her breasts and comparing them to Madonna’s — garnered an apology from its publisher the next day. Now, the artist herself has weighed in.
On June 19, Ferreira Instagrammed a photo of her with Madonna, along with a caption mocking the article, but acknowledging L.A. Weekly’s apology:
Then yesterday, June 20, Ferreira detailed her feelings on the article (and its implications) in a series of tweets:
This is not my “official statement” about the @LAWeekly article:
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I’m obviously a lot more than my “sex appeal” or my “knockers”. I’m not ashamed of either of those things either.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
It’s not calculated or whatever. I do what I want when I feel it’s true to me.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
If there was some sort of formula all of this would be a lot easier and faster & probably more “successful”
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I spend/spent so much time being frustrated by this type of bullshit that it really took a toll on me in a personal level.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I’m not a think piece. I’m not a fucking example. I’m glad that this is making people think & conversation is happening
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
& I appreciate people speaking against it and being vocal
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I’m done with the “success has 1000 fathers,failure has none” bullshit. The reason good or bad & who I am or whatever I’ve done is ME
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I didn’t respond in the heat of the moment because what I actually have to say is a lot more than a “response” or “rant” to some article
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
A part of me didn’t want or at first care to respond because I don’t think it deserves that sort of power or attention/validation
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
But I also know it would probably seem as if I don’t care or I’m okay with it or weak. When I obviously do for obvious reasons.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
People will take or see whatever they want from this probably. For example: “defends Terry Richardson” I never defended him.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I have never worked with him since. I even said my own experience doesn’t take away or against the victims.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
All I said was that I didn’t get sexually abused or had any sexual relations with him after journalist kept writing as if I did over & over
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
If you’re not a bitch or then you’re fake. If you’re not crazy or difficult then you’re boring & helpless
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
Stupid is probably somewhere in there too
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
You’re either too fat or too thin or too pretty or ugly. That’s the what I’ve l have been told my whole life since I was a little girl.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I’ve always been “too much” or “never enough”. At the point I care about the work I make because that’s what actually lasts & matters
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
& my well being so I can make it. The people who understand me as an artist & my work is what I care about.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
The people who don’t…Oh well.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
& that it does have consequences & contributes to sexism in general
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
There’s no such thing as an “IDEAL WOMAN”, people.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
But let’s move past this and on to the exciting projects Ferreira has in store. Her 2013 debut album Night Time, My Time was fantastic and she recently announced that its forthcoming follow-up (no release date specified) will be called Masochism. She will also appear in the sequel to David Lynch’s classic ‘90s TV thriller Twin Peaks, due next year.