Australian artist ‘Wentworth’ launches new single with cancel culture stunt at 2022 ARIA Awards
- Written by Tess Sanders Lazarus
Australian artist Wentworth has launched his latest single ‘Wiggle Wiggle Boom’ on the red carpet of the 2022 ARIA Awards with a cancel culture stunt.
The stunt which involves the clever recreation of The Last Supper with 12 3D printed celebrities that have been cancelled such as Lea Michelle, Sia, Ye, Will Smith and Amber Heard, due to issues surrounding their behaviour is designed to emphasise the fragility of people’s lives and existence.
“My stunt is designed to get people thinking. Mental health is a huge issue in today’s world. Not only are people different, they also struggle and sometimes they do and say things that we may not agree with however as a society we need to be more tolerant and accepting of people.
“People are diverse. This is what makes our society so rich and interesting. We need to focus on how we can create a culture of belonging and support and value people who are different.
“Artists are at the forefront bringing a vast array of different talents, issues and viewpoints to our awareness and thinking.
“It is very easy to blank out and cancel people who do not fit into our linear thinking of what people should look like, or how they should behave, or what they should say.
“I do not condone poor behaviour, but at the same time, I also value a person’s right to be themselves and to seek the opportunity to belong rather than fit in.”
Wentworth has recently arrived back in Australia after spending time living between Los Angeles, Sydney and Melbourne, where he has been writing sessions for Rihanna, Ariana, Skrillex and a number of other artists.
“In 2015 I was birthed into the music industry from a giant cashmere cocoon on the red carpet at the ARIA Awards and received a lot of criticism when it went viral, and I felt like I had been cancelled,” Wentworth added.
“Since then I have learned that you are only cancelled if you allow yourself to be. So now I am back with a bang and looking forward to really pushing hard on my music.
“I have written and produced a brand new album called ‘Pop Genius’ and it is being released on all streaming platforms from Thursday 24 November.
“The first single is called ‘Wiggle Wiggle Boom’ and it is a dance song about picking yourself back up.
“I am now writing and producing full time. This includes focusing heavily on social media including Tik Tok where I intend to create a safe space for people who feel like misfits and outsiders. I have a studio in outer Melbourne.
“I want people to know that regardless of who you are, you are OK. I have spent the last year battling serious mental health issues and it is important to me that people understand the mental health struggles of the LGBTQI+ community. One in four attempt suicide in their lifetime. I aim to create a safe space for this community and show people that they are not alone. You can and should be your authentic self.”
The single, Wiggle Wiggle Boom, and the rest of the album, Pop Genius, are available on all streaming platforms including Spotify.
Daily Bulletin
