Echosmith drummer Graham Sierota has apologised after being accused of sending messages over Instagram to Travis Barker’s 13-year-old daughter.
The messages, which were screenshotted by Alabama and her older brother Landon before being re-posted by The Blast, reportedly began in 2016 when Sierota allegedly said: “Hi,” to which Alabama – who would have been 10 years old at the time – did not respond, and also told her she was "beautiful".
In July 2019, however, Sierota allegedly invited her to a barbecue at his house.
Alabama responded by saying “Ur like 40,” to which Sierota said: “I just wanted to say I really like your music and sorry for messaging and I’m 20.”
She then responded: “OK, but u understand I’m a child?” which is the last of the screenshots shared.
Barker said of the messages: “When I found out a 20-year-old man was trying to get in touch with my 13-year-old daughter by filling her Instagram messages with party invites and compliments I was disgusted.”
“That’s predatory behaviour and there is nothing cool, normal or ok about it at all.”
Sierota has since issued his own statement to The Blast, which said: “I had invited Alabama to my parents’ big family BBQ along with many other people, and it wasn’t until she responded that I realized her age at which point I apologised to her.
“I’m really sorry and feel very badly about this. I didn’t realise she was a minor and assumed she was my age. I made a careless mistake and this is a big lesson for me,” he added. "I would like to apologise again to Alabama, her dad Travis, and her family.”
Alabama later posted a statement via her Instagram stories and said: "He is very sorry about the situation and regretful. I forgive him and would like for this all to be over."
