Chorus changed the passwords on our social media accounts, a temporary freeze, they promised us, so we can’t post anything that could get us in even more trouble. I have been checking, though, and the Saturday account has posted a selfie of the four us we were asked to take a few days ago. In it, we’re all smiling, and it seems like everything is fine.
Angel picks up the remote, and changes the channel away from the nature documentary that was on.
“Hey,” says Jon. “I was watching that.”
“You need a life.” Angel flicks through to find a trashy news show.
They’re talking about us. In German. It’s really weird.
“Why?” moans Jon, resting his head back against the headboard as Angel turns on the subtitles.
“Just checking in,” says Angel. “If they’re talking about me, it’s only fair that I hear what they’re saying.”
Jon pretends to fake cough. “Narcissist,” he says, between coughs.
“Takes one to know one. I’m just not coy about it.”
The show is a glossy panel show, the sort of thing that would air on E! at home. Behind the panelists is a screen with the words ANGEL: DURCHGEDREHT? in big white letters, along with a photo of Angel mid-tirade.
We read the subtitles: “We’ve seen this all before, it’s very Hollywood. They get famous too young, the power goes to their heads, and then this happens. Is it inevitable? Opinion?”
“Look, no, I wouldn’t say it’s inevitable. There are hundreds of kids who have grown up under the spotlight who never do anything like this. I wish we talked more about them.”
The audience applauds.
“Angel clearly has two paths ahead of him. One is he gets his act together and gets his life back on track. The other … well, I don’t want to think about that, but we’ve seen it before.”
“What could stop it, though?”
“He’s the only one who can. Until he makes the connection that he’s ruining his life, there’s no helping him.”
“Fuck off,” says Angel, turning off the TV. “I bet they’re all using the second they get backstage. Hypocrites.”
I turn back to my computer, and check Twitter. If anything, it’s worse. I don’t know what I expected.
Fucking Twitter. If it got taken down à la Vine I wouldn’t be mad about it.
Footage of Angel’s outburst has taken over the site. Angel Phan is trending alongside the main Saturday hashtag. A still of Angel screaming has become a meme, and a reaction shot of Ruben and me looking horrified has become a popular reaction GIF.
Naturally, Chorus has been freaking out. We’re being kept in here until further notice “for our own safety,” which really means until they figure out what our next move is. Like always, we’ll only be told when they come to a decision, because they know best.
I click on the Saturday hashtag, which is still number one worldwide. I’m not sure why I keep checking it. It’s like I think if I keep my eyes on it, it might slow down or go away. It hasn’t yet, though.
The top tweet is fucking TMZ, with the caption: FALLEN ANGEL: formerly squeaky-clean Angel Phan of Saturday is GUILTY of getting wasted in Berlin! Watch his drunken tirade now!
I start reading the comments.
Yikes.
They’re all saying what I feared. That his rant is confirmation that we all secretly hate being in Saturday. That we hate the band, and all want to escape. Even the people who have us as their avatar seem to be having a field day with this. One with over three thousand likes just says I KNEW HE HATED SATURDAY LMAOOOOOO.
I keep reading.
who cares omfg???
Honestly, I wish they’d quit and go solo already, we all know they’re going to. Maybe then my boy Ruben can get out of this mess okay They haven’t even been good since self-titled, stream REDZONE
I want to remind people that it’s legal for the boys to drink in Berlin! Like, who hasn’t gotten messy occasionally? Jfc Where is Jon?? His bottom is in trouble #anjon He’s probably just mad “Signature” flopped hahahahaha.
My eyes start to sting. It’s all bad. It’s just all criticism, never-ending.
We’re a boy band, so getting hate comes with the job description, and after two solid years of constant online abuse, I’ve gotten as used to it as possible. I’ve learned to avoid social media as much as I can and I try never to read comments. For one thing, I think the music we make is good, even if it’s not really my thing, and that helps.
Second, every famous person I know has dealt with this. Some more than others, sure, but nobody is liked by everyone. It’s impossible. Before they get big everyone thinks they’re going to be the one artist everyone loves, but it never works out like that. Never. Every single person has at least one thing about them a lot of people won’t like. Hell, even Beyoncé gets hate for being too perfect.