Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine has come under fire for comments made during a recent podcast appearance that referenced Demi Lovato‘s struggles with addiction. The remarks, made on Andie Elle‘s podcast released on November 4, 2023, have sparked significant backlash across social media platforms, raising concerns about the sensitivity surrounding addiction recovery.
During the podcast, Daniel Hernandez, known professionally as Tekashi 6ix9ine, joked about Lovato’s past relapses, specifically alluding to her well-documented overdose in July 2018, which involved heroin laced with fentanyl. A clip shared by TMZ featured 6ix9ine suggesting that Lovato was “gonna relapse” and making a flippant comment about sending her drugs. He later described his comments as “dark humor,” asserting that the criticism he received reflects an oversensitivity among younger audiences today.
Lovato has been candid about her journey toward recovery, having faced serious health complications, including three strokes and a heart attack, as a result of her overdose. The pop artist continues to advocate for awareness about addiction and mental health issues. In a past interview with Access Hollywood in 2013, Lovato revealed the extent of her struggles, stating, “I couldn’t go 30 minutes to an hour without cocaine,” and shared how she manipulated those around her to conceal her addiction.
The public reaction to 6ix9ine’s comments has been overwhelmingly negative. On social media platform X, users have labeled his remarks as “horrible” and “disrespectful.” One user stated, “Do you know how much of a piece of s*** you have to be to be saying things like that?” Others expressed disbelief at the humor taken in the situation, with comments highlighting the serious nature of Lovato’s past struggles and the insensitivity of 6ix9ine’s remarks.
At the time of writing, Lovato has not publicly responded to 6ix9ine’s comments. The backlash highlights the ongoing conversation about addiction and the importance of sensitivity when discussing the challenges faced by individuals in recovery. For those seeking help with substance use disorders, resources are available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Individuals can visit FindTreatment.gov or call the national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for assistance.
