In an era where social media often fuels rivalries, Stevie Nicks offers a unique perspective on navigating the often-turbulent music industry while recalling her chat with Katy Perry.
- Oct 27, 2024
AceShowbiz - Stevie Nicks, the iconic Fleetwood Mac frontwoman, recently shared her thoughts on the contemporary pop star rivalries that dominate social media. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she recounted a poignant conversation she had with Katy Perry about the internet's impact on artist relationships.
"About 10 years ago, Katy Perry was talking to me about the internet armies of all the girl singers, and how cruel and rancid they were," Nicks recalled. "I said, 'Well, I wouldn't know because I'm not on the internet.' She said, 'So, who are your rivals?' "
Nicks replied to Perry with wisdom that transcends generations, "I just looked at her. I said, 'Katy, I don't have rivals. I have friends. All the other women singers that I know are friends. Nobody's competing. Get off the internet and you won't have rivals either.' "
This conversation underscores Nicks' disdain for the artificial tension stoked by online fan bases. Unlike Perry, who had to navigate a public rivalry with Taylor Swift, Nicks built her career well before the internet's influence.
She reflected on an earlier era where artists like her enjoyed a sense of camaraderie, free from the invasive pressures of paparazzi and social media scrutiny. "It would've been terrible," she stated about dealing with social media during Fleetwood Mac's heyday.
Perry's feud with Swift, once a tabloid favorite, served as a backdrop for this advice. Swift revealed in 2014 that her song "Bad Blood" was about another female pop star, hinting at Perry. The toxicity of their rivalry peaked until Perry extended an olive branch to Swift in 2019, leading to a reconciliation highlighted by a joint appearance in Swift's music video "You Need to Calm Down."
Nicks' perspective on such feuds is practical yet profound. She sympathizes with rising stars like Chappell Roan, cautioning them against burnout. "They'll burn her out if that's what they want to do because there's always somebody to replace you," Nicks warned, commending Roan for prioritizing her well-being over relentless industry demands.
For young artists, Nicks' wisdom is a reminder of the timeless value of authenticity and friendship over feigned competition. Her advice to Perry resonates: transcending rivalries and staying true to oneself is not just sage counsel but essential for long-term sustainability in the ever-evolving music industry.
