Dean Lewis, the Aussie singer behind tracks like “Waves”, has gone public after videos and screenshots appeared online, showing him allegedly flirting and having private chats with adult fans over the years.
“I understand why people are angry and disappointed after learning embarrassing details of intimate, private conversations and relationships I’ve had with consenting adults over the past decade, but I want to emphasise that none of this is illegal,” he wrote in his statement on Instagram.
Lewis says that while the online campaign against him stings, he’s clear that the boundary of legality wasn’t crossed. “The individuals leading the campaign against me have repeatedly acknowledged this, and I’m hurt by any suggestion that I’ve done things that have crossed into illegality. At the same time, I realise I’ve made an incredible mess, people are genuinely hurt, and I need to make changes.”
The singer added that the sudden public exposure of years’ worth of texts was a shock, but he understands why people are upset. “In the past few days, social media has made public a decade-plus of private conversations with a number of women, all of adult age. I don’t fault these individuals for having hard feelings, and I don’t want anyone defending me. I was breathtakingly dumb texting and flirting in the manner I have over many years,” Lewis said. “I should have been more sensitive that not everyone might look at our interactions the way I often did.”
He went on to offer the following apology: “From the bottom of my heart, I want to sincerely apologise to those I’ve hurt. This is not only an apology to the women who have spoken up, but those who haven’t and felt hurt by my words or behaviour. I also need to apologise to my family and fans who I’ve gravely disappointed.”
Lewis called the experience “an overdue wake up call” and said, “I’ve done and said incredibly stupid, insensitive, and embarrassing things that I’m mortified by when looking back”.
Lewis stated he’s already taking steps to make things right: “I am enrolling myself into intense therapy to make better choices and dramatically shift my approach to dating, relationships, and showing greater care to the women in my life,” adding: “Changes will also include a whole new set of rules so there’s never confusion or questions about my intent when I’m engaging with fans or responding to messages in the future.”
He concluded the statement by saying, “I know it’s too much to ask for grace and forgiveness at this moment, but in time I hope to re-earn the trust of those I’ve hurt, and do better by those I’ve disappointed.”
Lewis ended on a personal note: “I’m going to look after myself for a little bit while I get my head and life in order. With sincere love and regret, Dean.”
Lewis is set to tour North America in January but hasn’t confirmed if those dates will go ahead.
You can read Dean’s full statement here.
Lead image: Getty Images / Instagram
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