Black Dresses' Breakup Highlights the Realities of Cyberbullying in Modern Music
The Toronto duo called it quits after "extended harassment" and "hurtful and frightening" fan behaviour
In a statement posted to social media last night (May 26), Ada Rook and Devi McCallion officially broke the news of their decision to disband.
"After some consideration, Black Dresses will no longer exist following Devi's extended harassment thru her involvement in this band, not just recently but escalating over a period of time," the band wrote.
The announcement came in the wake of last month's Peaceful As Hell album, with Black Dresses first garnering viral fame on TikTok due to their 2018 debut WASTEISOLATION.
"Following its popularity, we did our best to write about less personal subject matter on subsequent albums, but WASTEISOLATION, which includes songs about both of our experiences with childhood sexual assault, remained very popular," the band continued. "Unfortunately, that popularity has now culminated in Devi's harassment, so we have decided to disband."
As a result, Black Dresses state all their music will now be removed from streaming services and only remain on their Bandcamp.
You can read the band's full statement below.
— Black Dresses (@BlackDresses666) May 27, 2020
Following the initial rumours of a breakup, many fans have also taken to social media in response. You can see a few of many reactions below.
the black dresses drama makes me sick to my fucking stomach. it's the perfect example of how uwu purism culture's logical end point is neocon at best and alt right at worst"— using "won't somebody think of the CHILDREN" as a weapon to paint trans women swers as sex criminals
— high cost of low living (@convoIve) May 23, 2020
OF COURSE IT'S FUCKING DANGANRONPA COSPLAYERS.
— rye (@ryehat64) May 23, 2020
I really hope Black Dresses come back because these fuckers aren't the fans. At the end of the day it's their decision though. pic.twitter.com/4sQ7uZ6nuS
THEY TOOK BLACK DRESSES OFF SPOTIFY???? IM GONNA FIGHT SOMEONE @Spotify pic.twitter.com/xmvfg3qyQy
— Kade Schoenfeldt (@kadescho) May 24, 2020
I'm so upset abt Black Dresses like what the actual fuck is wrong with people
— it's clem! (@xxnoisegfxx) May 22, 2020
Imagine when someone tells you "stop using songs about my trauma for your edgy tiktoks" you say "hmmm no also im going to harass you also you can't be mean to me cuz im a minor" jfc