Are you the type of person that is able to separate the art from the artist?

[Razp_Sorbet]

We all know that a lot of artists (musicians, actors, comedians etc) have done some shitty things in their life. Are you the kind of person that can separate what they have done and still enjoy their content?

Personally I think it depends on the allegations/ what they did.

For example I don't purposefully listen to Micheal Jackson but I wouldn't go out of my way to avoid listening to him. I would never buy JK Rowlings books or purchase the movies, but I still watch the copies of HP that I already have.
I refuse to watch anything to do with Louis CK or Bill Crosby.
I'll enjoy Marilyn Manson if it comes on but don't intentionally put it on.

[Kaneki05]

I try not to. It is really subjective.
One example, is I watched house of cards even after his ordeal but I loved the show and I ain't gonna say Kevin didn't act well because he did and without him been the main guy I am sure the show would of been much worse with someone who don't fit the part. I think with such a show as well it's not just him in it, there is many other actors and writing that went into the work. People who've done nothing wrong worked on the show.
The same way I loved Advance warfare's campaign yet the main bad guy is Kevin (He is really good at those roles makes one think why lol)
But then in a opposite example I will chose not to find stuff involving R. Kelly.
Or in a really more odd example but 100% needed, I would never watch Riley reid porn she openly admitted she likes to force guys into sex and rape them because it's funny. She's a prime example of been a hot woman = getting away with shit since she's still a highly successful pornstar even after admitting this and was never punished.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Yes, I separate the two 100% of the time, and I'm an artist.

1. I don't follow the news or social media regarding people, so if they did something bad, I probably don't even know about it.

2. I don't really look up who made a given work of art, what actors played what roles, or what musicians made a given song, so I only tend to find out in passing conversation or credits or if I want more of a product type I liked. And even then, I don't look into their lives, I just use the name to search for the product, and more often than not, it's a studio name, not a person's name.

3. What I like is based on looks, sounds, genres, gameplay, story, special effects, acting performance, product duribility or utility, etc. not actors, musicians, developers, or artists. I may like a song in an album, or a character played, or a specific drawing, or this one game or book in a series, and hate the rest, and I judge that based on product quality, not who made it.

4. Most of what the news says about anything, celebs included, is fabricated, I'm not going to buy into claims without having been their myself to verify it actually happened, and in 99.9% of cases, it's none of my business anyway. As a person, I hate gossip, rumors, tabloids, scandals, and other such unverifiable nonsense, and I do not think being famous means you should be deprived of privacy, or lose livelyhoods over mistakes or slander.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

Yeah, I think so.

I love Lovecraft's writing but he himself was extremely unpleasant a personality and not someone I respect. But his genre defining fiction and his works are excellent - and somehow his odd sexism even makes them better? Like, you can tell he's off the deep end, but it's also kinda /r/menwritingwomen sometimes.

I enjoyed the Harry Potter books growing up and have a persistent appreciation for them (though I know now they're not the best written books), but I think Rowling is TERF trash and won't buy anything that leads to her profit. I'll pirate her movies and media. Lady's got enough and I don't care to feed into it.

But I do appreciate art separate from the artist. I think part of my experience of that is also recognizing and learning how the artist is wrong or why I don't like them. But I can still appreciate their craft.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, as long as the art is not about the (alleged) crime/immoral behaviour.. like I removed R Kellys ignition (remix) from my playlists because it's clearly about sex, maybe with someone underage, I did not study it hard xD
But like no problem with for example MJ, also the song written by R Kelly. His lyrics is not clearly related to the allegations, except his feelings of being missunderstood/treated and so by the media in general. At least for what I notice, I don't really listen to his music for the lyrics. Plus he is dead, it does not support him in any way.

[globetrotter22]

Two things can be true at once: Michael Jackson was an unparalleled musical genius and there is a 99.9999% chance he was serial pedophile.

I can separate my judgment for his heinous behavior when listening to his music especially if it’s the music that was recorded prior to all the allegations. There is a difference between likeability and respect. I can respect someone’s talent and accomplishments and still highly dislike their personality and lifestyle.

Emotional based judgment has lead to a bigger problem going on right now vía politics.

I’m conservative and yet I found Trump’s personality often insufferable. But compare his administration’s accomplishments (strong economy, peace in the Middle East, improved border protection, etc). VS what the Biden administration has done. Can you honestly tell me with a straight face that most American’s are better off with the Biden administration policy vs. what Trump enacted? Obviously hordes of people hated Trumps guts and his stupid antics didn’t help. But honestly tell me who REALLY did more for this country overall?

[MountAverage]

Only to a degree. I'm lucky (so far) when it comes to music since I rarely ever liked any of the music of the people that are horrible people. For the most part that's just coincidence or luck, but I also think music that comes from shitbags just inherently doesn't appeal to me, especially if they're the vocalists.

The real issue for me is with movies. Kevin Spacey for instance. Fuck that guy. But great actor and some really great movies. I find it more acceptable to separate art from the artist when it comes to actors/actresses than musicians. Music of an artist IS the artist. It's a very personal product of that person, it's their personality being expressed. I don't wanna listen to some horrible person's personality being expressed. With actors/actresses it's inherently different as they portray someone they're not. When I watch Kevin Spacey in Se7en or American Beauty, I'm not watching Kevin Spacey, I'm watching the characters. Also most of the time the movies are the creative products of the directors and the screen writers, not the actor's.

[Kreneman]

For me, I love people and everybody have a unique talent or more. Nobody is perfect and every body have made mistakes (especially some terrible or evil mistakes in life). It's very hard when a celebrity or someone that you love or look up too or admires does something extremely bad and it leaves us with questions marks on what to think. What I have learn in life is to use wisdom and I praying for him or her. Recently Will Smith slap Chris Rock at the Oscars, I love Will Smith (and Chris Rock too) but I don't approve for what he did and I was disappointed at Will Smith. I still want to watch Bad Boys 4 but I respect that it's hold because of the incident and I am ok if the movie doesn't come out at all but I will never forget the laughters and the great performance that he did from his other movies plus I am glad that he apologized which shows a lot respect. I faith that other people will forgive him as well as him redeeming himself in the future.

[Moose304]

There is a male US actor whom I love to watch work. Every movie he has been in I have watched more than once. I'm not going to say his name because it's not important to my primary point. For all, I know this man may be one of the most leftist liberals or have the most conservative position in that industry! I count virtue to him because I DO NOT KNOW! See, I really don't give a shit about what somebody does in their private life. I don't follow celebrities on social media. What pisses me off is when they use their pulpit to push an issue. I am a big 2nd amendment person. I still got royally pissed off at Charlton Heston when he started getting active in NRA. My primary point is I don't care. As long as I don't know I am happy! When I do know I lose ALL respect for that person and stop watching or listening to their work. Right now I have close to 30 actors and singers on my shit list, both right and left positions. Stick to being an entertainer and stay the HELL OUT of politics!

[TickleMe4ForFun]

I definitely separate the artist from their personal life! The small percentage of non-heterosexuals are causing the decline in our country, yet I have no problem listening to little Nas X or Elton John. I disagree with their political agenda, but can still enjoy their songs. We are living in a scary society that believes "If I disagree with you 1% on something, then I am 100% against you!" That leaves one with very limited options and a depressing life.

So, enjoy your entertainment no matter the personal background of the artist!

[Femphile_xoxo]

I won't go out of my way to avoid them but, with serious allegations, I don't really care for their stuff. If something is on, or if I really want to see something because of other actors, I'll watch it.
Though with music sometimes I just switch the radio if I really care (but usually that's because their music is degrading).

[Oigit]

It really depends on what they did. Because I start to not be able to disconnect the two when comes to them committing serious crimes. Though the funny part of this topic is when people make a big deal about an artist of any type drinking or using drugs. Because art of every type would pretty much be nonexistent if it was not for artists drinking or using drugs.

[NathanDavis]

most of the times, yes...

in most cases I can do it, there is just so many musicians, actors, athletes, artists... even entire organizations and companies, business, industries and what not... lol

if I were not able to discern I would not be able to enjoy anything in this life

[maverick2022]

No, Michael Jackson is a freak. I don't think he's a terrible person but he's definitely abnormal. That's kinda why he's popular, people see him embracing his weird side and people feel free to be comfortable in their own skin. I personally don't like him or his music.

[Razp_Sorbet]

He molested children 💀

[maverick2022]

lol and the children's parents let them fly out to his mansion and spend the night with him. Multiple times

[Razp_Sorbet]

So because the parents did that its ok? What?

[maverick2022]

I didn't say that. You are judging someone's entire existence based on a few hours out of their life. It's of no consequence to me, I didn't like Michael Jackson before the news came out and I didn't like him after. My point is, they got their penis touched. Big deal?

[Razp_Sorbet]

Im just questioning your "I don't think he is a terrible person"

[maverick2022]

Not everyone that does bad things are terrible people. Like I said before, I don't know him or care to. Some people have criticized their parents for allowing it to happen.

[Still-alive]

im ok with louis ck still.

no more bill cosby.

i can still appreciate the harry potter films

I do still enjoy michael jackson

i can't enjoy anything from Kevin Spacey ever again... including American 1beauty which was one of my favorite movies.

I will NEVER watch Aquaman or anything with Amber Heard in it ever again.

I'm ok watching Mel Gibson movies still especially Braveheart and Hacksaw Ridge

[Still-alive]

oh and absolutely NO R Kelly ever lol

[RolandCuthbert]

Of course. Or I couldn't watch anything. Some of my favorite movies were directed by a pedophile, Woody Allen. But I grew up watching his movies.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/VDC1SUlXuGI

[Still-alive]

Dont forget roman polanski too

[RolandCuthbert]

@Still-alive Good point!

[Diamold]

Easy
If they done a great job, i couldn't care less about what they've done in their life, i'll still enjoy their work
Won't relate it in any way
They'll probably still pay for their sins, it's not me crying about it that will change anything
So i'll just enjoy life

[Better_off_here]

all of us do bad things, and i can enjoy the work they have done, and i think just because i watch it or i do enjoy what they have done does not mean i am supporting what they did, that being said i am not gonna spend my money on anything that they do would i watch a re run of the cosby show i would but that does not mean i in any way support what he did.

[Anonymous]

Some. I'm right there with you on JK Rowlings.
Basically it depends on the offense they committed. I mean for example I think Bill Maher is funny and he's says a lot of common sense things. But he's also like ANY talking head that gains a following. He's become very arrogant because of it.
So I guess what I'm saying is I like Bill Maher the performer. Just not Bill Maher the person.
JK Rowlings I like neither.

[spartan55]

Sometimes, but in cases involving sex crimes against minors (Michael Jackson, R Kelly) I can't do it. But then again, I wasn't really into their music anyway.

[IceCreamSandwich]

I separate the two, but yeah I try not to give money to bad people. Their music or their books may be good, but those aren't the only good music/books around.

[RealMarek]

Generally yes. Artists tend to be a squirrelly, unconventional lot. A whole lot of artists behaved in ways reasonable people would not condone, but this is no reason to impoverish one’s culture of artistic achievements.

[Squaresquirrel]

I don't care. A good song is a good song.
Plus, normally I don't even know/care who the artist is.
Is the music good? Then I don't care who sings, which album, what release year

[melanieeeB]

Yeah, unless they did something really horrible where I don't wanna support the person behind the art but like I don't like Kayne as a person but still will listen to some of his older songs

[petitedollbabee]

Yeah, there’s a few artists that I listen to that have a bad rep, but I enjoy their songs, not who they are as a person.