Bobby Vylan Walks Back His Charlie Kirk Comments, Says He Never Celebrated His Death As Fans Demand Accountability
The fallout around Bobby Vylan’s comments about Charlie Kirk continues to grow, and now the singer is attempting to walk it all back. After days of criticism, canceled shows, and headlines calling him out, Bobby appeared in a video trying to clarify what he said on stage and to insist that he never actually celebrated Charlie Kirk’s death. His tone sounded defensive, almost like he was frustrated with the reaction, but there was also a sense that he realized the backlash has gone far beyond what he expected.
In the video, Bobby says plainly that “at no point during yesterday’s show was Charlie Kirk’s death celebrated.” He repeated that line more than once, as if trying to make it stick. He admitted to calling Kirk a piece of garbage during the performance, and he even leaned into it by saying “that much is true,” but he pushed back on claims that he was mocking or celebrating someone’s death. He challenged critics to “find me a quote, find me something that proves it,” insisting that the outrage was exaggerated by reporters who were looking for a scandal.
But the problem for him is that his own words are already out there, and many fans and critics don’t buy his attempt to reframe what happened. Videos from the show show him using the phrase “rest in piss” and mocking Kirk’s memory, which many people saw as crossing a line. His words were quickly circulated online, and the anger spread faster than he could contain it. Soon after, one of his upcoming concerts in the Netherlands was canceled, and there are reports that other venues are reconsidering hosting him as well.
The backlash wasn’t just from conservatives either. Even people who don’t align with Charlie Kirk politically said that mocking someone’s death on stage felt wrong and inhumane. The criticism wasn’t only about politics—it was about decency. That is why his attempted apology hasn’t landed the way he might have hoped. Instead of putting out a heartfelt message or taking full accountability, he’s essentially saying people misunderstood him. That doesn’t always satisfy an audience that wants to hear remorse rather than excuses.
What makes this all the more striking is how fast everything spiraled. Less than a week ago, Bobby Vylan was preparing for another international run of shows and focusing on his music. Now he’s on the defensive, scrambling to save his career, and facing the kind of scrutiny most artists hope to never experience. He may not have expected his words to spread outside the walls of that concert venue, but the internet makes everything permanent and global. Once a clip goes viral, there’s no taking it back.
The truth is that this situation reflects a larger lesson about how words carry weight, especially when emotions are high. A comment said in anger on stage may feel like a moment of defiance or rebellion, but once it reaches millions of people, it becomes something else entirely. Fans want artists who stand by their words, but they also expect respect and humanity when dealing with tragedy. Right now, Bobby Vylan is stuck in the middle of those expectations, and the reaction shows that his attempt to rewrite what happened isn’t convincing many.
Whether his apology is sincere or not, the damage is already done. His concerts have taken a hit, his reputation has been dragged into controversy, and he’s become a headline not for his music but for his words. If there’s a lesson here, it’s that no matter how frustrated or angry someone feels, mocking death is a line that audiences across the spectrum don’t want crossed. Bobby may be saying sorry now, but the world won’t forget what he said on that stage.
