Page 29 - Aruba Today
P. 29
PEOPLE & ARTS A29
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Celebs take to social media
to cut trolls down to size
JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. poor grammar of someone per boldly told the critic: In this Dec. 5, 2015 file photo, Rick Ross performs during Hot 97’s
Associated Press who came on her page to “Tonite when you go to “Busta Rhymes & Friends: Hot For The Holidays” in Newark, N.J.
ATLANTA (AP) — When Rick criticize her. sleep I hope pitbull fleas in-
Ross posted a photo of It’s become such a regu- fest your armpits ...” Associated Press
himself on Instagram pos- lar occurrence that gossip R&B singer K. Michelle said
ing with Diddy, a woman outlets like The Shade Room she doesn’t try to stress
joked on his page about regularly highlight the best over comments too much,
the burly, bearded rapper celebrity clap backs in sep- but much like others, she
wearing shades inside a arate social media posts. is ready to respond when
nightclub. The woman who was the she feels compelled to put
Ross noticed — and didn’t butt of Rick Ross’ insult, someone in check. She re-
take kindly to it. In retali- Holly McKelvey, said she cently clapped back at
ation, he replied with an was surprised by Ross’ un- someone for making fun of
insult about the size of the flattering response to her her post of the late singer
woman’s nose. joke. Even though she saw David Bowie.
He’s not alone in respond- a substantial increase of “I clap back for fun,” K. Mi-
ing to unflattering com- 1,400 followers after her chelle said. “I really don’t
ments with vitriol. From Rick spat with him, she endured clap back because of any-
Ross to Rihanna to the Kar- enormous backlash from thing else. It’s for fun. Peo-
dashians, celebrities are countless numbers of the ple say, ‘Oh, you’re hurt.’
going out of their way to rapper’s fans. No, not really. I’m really hurt
“clap back” at regular folk “I was shocked,” said McK- for you because you’re pa-
who have the audacity to elvey, a Texas native. “That thetic.”
come for them on social was odd to me. It’s not of- Even though K. Michelle
media. ten that celebrities come doesn’t take it too seriously,
“It’s for people to say to somebody’s page. But some believe she and oth-
‘Oohh and aahh,’” said oh my God, it was insane. er entertainers should.
the rapper, who’s had his People were going to ev- Jesse Mills, who runs an
fair share of clap back bat- ery single picture, any vid- Atlanta-based branding
tles on social media, mostly eo I made, criticizing me. agency, said clapping
against 50 Cent. “Some- They called me stupid, talk- back on social media
times it makes you laugh at ing about my skin because could benefit or hurt stars.
something that someone I have really sensitive skin. He said celebs shouldn’t let
said. Social media is an av- It was the meanest stuff regular people or other ce-
enue to say what’s on your ever.” lebrities get under their skin.
mind.” Rihanna is notorious for “You shouldn’t let any-
Clapping back is a way for showing low tolerance to- one know they can pen-
someone to instantly gain ward anyone who dares to etrate your psyche,” Mills
the upper hand against an express negativity her way. said. “Once someone sees
adversary who disrespect- Last year, the singer re- that you are responding, it
ed them, their family mem- sponded harshly when she opens up a Pandora’s box
bers or close friends. Most was criticized for not do- for others who will try to an-
use social media platforms nating enough to a cause. tagonize you to see if you
such as Twitter and Insta- “My Prada shoes that I react to them emotionally.
gram to fire back at some- spent nothing on cant stop It can create a vicious cy-
one (it’s not clear when anyone from dying!” Ri- cle.”
the phrase originated or hanna wrote in response. Usher, who is rarely com-
resurfaced. In 2003, Rapper “However the $100,000 I just bative on social media,
Ja Rule released the song sent to the Philippines will! echoed those sentiments.
“Clap Back,” a diss track Now eject reject witcho “Be careful what you say
directed toward 50 Cent ratchet (explicit), begging and don’t take anything
and Eminem). for purses!” personal,” the Grammy-
Chris Brown is a repeat clap Rapper The Game went winning singer said. “Don’t
back offender. Nicki Minaj on a verbal assault on In- get me wrong. I have emo-
cursed out an Instagram stagram in response to tions just like any other
troll who criticized the rap- someone who made a person. I tweet little bitty
per’s supportive post of the homophobic slur about his humorous things, because
N.W.A. biopic film “Straight son, called his other chil- I think it’s funny. But you
Outta Compton.” Kim Kar- dren ugly and the mother have to be impeccable
dashian pointed out the of his children old. The rap- with your words.”q
