Matty Healy Defends Controversial Kiss Incident in Malaysia at The 1975 Concert in Dallas

During a concert in Dallas, Texas, Matty Healy, the lead singer of The 1975, defended his controversial onstage kiss with his bandmate in Malaysia. Healy, who was told not to discuss the incident, decided to read a prepared speech from his phone. He addressed the backlash the band faced after attacking the country's anti-LGBT laws and engaging in the kiss. Following the incident, the Malaysian government cancelled the rest of the festival, and the event organizers demanded compensation from the band. Criticism also came from some LGBT Malaysians, who accused Healy of displaying a "white saviour complex". Healy defended their actions by stating that they were invited to perform at the festival by organizers who were aware of the band's political views and performances. He clarified that the kiss was not a mere stunt to provoke the government, but an established part of their show. He also referred to the online anger as "liberal outrage" and questioned why the band was criticized for consistently supporting the LGBT community. The Malaysian anti-LGBT laws were mentioned in his speech, and he mentioned that the band had been briefly imprisoned by the authorities. Healy argued that event organizers should not expect acts to self-censor and should be prepared for Western performers to bring their values. He concluded by comparing the situation to strict laws in certain US states, emphasizing the importance of standing against oppressive perspectives. This is not the first time that Healy has addressed online criticism during a concert. Previously, he apologized for hurting people through his actions while performing in Los Angeles. Healy also faced backlash earlier this year for mocking rapper Ice Spice and engaging in racially insensitive impressions on a podcast. Healy acknowledged his misguided attempts at playing the role of a 21st-century rock star during his performance at the Hollywood Bowl.