The Dark Side of Fandom: Why Fka Twigs Faced Brutal Racism over Robert Pattinson
By Chloe Bennett
Enduring months of relentless abuse took a measurable toll on twigs' mental well-being. During her 2021 conversation on the Grounded with Louis Theroux podcast, she reflected honestly on how the constant barrage altered her perception of herself. She noted that the attacks occurred during a formative period when she was attempting to establish her creative identity on a global scale.
Instead of celebrating critical acclaim for her music, she was forced to develop psychological armor against strangers who attacked her baseline appearance. The bullying made her feel deeply insecure, triggering bouts of self-doubt about her features and self-worth. "It was deeply horrific and I think it was at a time where I couldn’t really talk about it," she remarked.
The dynamics were compounded by the pervasive industry pressure placed on women of color to stay silent. At the time, conventional public relations advice often pushed artists to ignore online trolls, operating on the flawed premise that acknowledging cruelty gives it power. In reality, enforced silence merely isolated the victim, forcing twigs to absorb real psychological trauma without a public outlet for catharsis or accountability.
Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
