I've been active in the fandom for almost 20 years. I've met a lot of people, and I've seen some shit. You probably have, too- sometimes it turns out that a popular artist isn't a nice person. Sometimes they've done something wrong, said something shitty, or hold some fucked up opinions that you can't turn a blind eye to.

And it's so disappointing, especially when it's someone you looked up to. Maybe even someone who was nice to you or encouraged you in turn.

I always want to give people the benefit of the doubt. People can be misguided. People can make mistakes. People can realize their mistakes and make an effort to change. Nobody is ever perfect. Me, I was a hostile little edgelord for a while in middle school, and back in ye olde days of LJ I used to post in mock communities like VCL Horrors and SparkleSnark. I've said and done stuff I regret... but then I grew the fuck up, y'know? You don't have to waste energy hating on people. You don't have to do or say the shitty thing. You can choose to be better. And I want to believe that this can apply to everyone... but sometimes that's just not the case and you end up losing all respect for a person you used to admire very much. It's such a letdown. It sucks.

So hey, I may not have a huge follower count and I doubt I'm anyone's favorite artist or biggest inspiration, but you know what? I promise you, I will never be That Guy who turns out to be secretly involved in awful shit. I will not ever disappoint you like that. I will always try to be better.