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
Black Dresses' Breakup Highlights the Realities of Cyberbullying in Modern Music
By Brock Thiessen
Published May 27, 2020
The career of Black Dresses has ended before it even really had a chance to begin, as the rising Toronto noise-pop duo have broken up following claims of "extended harassment" from fans.

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.

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.