Why would anyone at VH1 imagine that a twitter chat with singer, Robin Thicke, would NOT turn into a total cluster eff? After all, Robin has been controversial since releasing the song “Blurred Lines” with Pharrell last year. Although it became a smash hit, there were many who believed it promoted the idea that NO from a woman doesn’t necessarily mean NO. “Rapey” is how the song is often described.
On top of that, Robin’s latest album, Paula, is out today. The set of songs is basically devoted to convincing his wife–who left him earlier this year–to end their separation. The couple’s personal travails has been turned into shtick to promote the album, with hashtags like #GetHerBack meant to infer more than just the name of the new single. The song’s music video features supposed ACTUAL TEXTS between the pair, over a semi-naked woman’s body and broadly hints at Robin’s infidelity.
Turning an artists deep personal pain into promotional fodder is gross and creepy, so it’s no wonder the questions directed at Robin during the chat have been overwhelmingly snarky/angry/hilarious rather than serious inquiries regarding his career.
Just click on the hashtag to see for yourself. It took me ten minutes to cull the tweets I found below, so there’s way more from where these came from.
After having gone through something similar recently during a chat with R. Kelly, another controversial artist, I’m wondering if VH1 understood exactly what they were doing…
#AskThicke What’s the inspiration behind your song ‘get her back’? Did the rohypnol wear off and they managed to escape your lair?
— ??Whince King?? (@Archieeee) July 1, 2014
On a scale of major douche to major douche dick, how much of a major douche are you? #AskThicke — alyssa (@mcmorrishbu) July 1, 2014
Lol bruh RT @HumbleTeej: If you had to estimate, how many hundreds of times did you cheat on Paula? #AskThicke
— [aB] (@SirConteh) July 1, 2014
#askthicke are you actually a rapist and stalker, or is that persona your way of cultivating the change you wish to see in the world? — hope lindsay demer (@mysteriousfuton) July 1, 2014
#AskThicke why are you such a fucking asshat?
— ? (@NAOMIKILLLA) July 1, 2014
which did you ignore more, your wife’s wishes or these tweets? @VH1 #AskThicke — neil mccauley (@the_blueprint) July 1, 2014
how often does your dad tell you he wishes you were kirk cameron? @vh1 #AskThicke
— neil mccauley (@the_blueprint) July 1, 2014
on a scale of 1 to 10 years, how far do you think you’ve set white men back? @vh1 #AskThicke — neil mccauley (@the_blueprint) July 1, 2014
Why do you think cashing in on the exploitation of your failed relationship will make Paula want you back? #AskThicke
— aaliyah (@liyahjewel) July 1, 2014
The word “no” must have a different meaning in Canada, huh? #askthicke — Que? (@VisualQue) July 1, 2014
Are you gonna take this opportunity while you still can and end up dating Paula Abdul? #AskThicke
— Que? (@VisualQue) July 1, 2014
speaking of “sorry,” when are you gonna say sorry for disturbing us with your music? #AskThicke — Que? (@VisualQue) July 1, 2014
Do you consider yourself more of a Jimmy Saville or Rolf Harris style of entertainer. You know you are #AskThicke
— Windy Miller (@only1symo) July 1, 2014
This is the exact opposite of a public relations win, @VH1. #AskThicke — Anne B (@abroshar) July 1, 2014
Robin Thicke’s ABC Takeover. Because #AskThicke worked out so well.
— Lori (@BeachBabe515) July 1, 2014
Robin Thicke responds on the via the VH1 twitter account
I’m a big boy. I can handle it. RT @IamEast Man people are brutal on this #AskThicke — VH1 (@VH1) July 1, 2014
