Award-winning Broadway star Lea Salonga addressed her decision to unfollow BTS members RM and J-Hope on Instagram, saying she took the step to protect her own well-being.
The theater icon addressed the matter after a follower asked whether her stance toward the two K-pop stars had changed following the controversy surrounding their recent attendance at American singer-songwriter Chris Brown’s concert.
RM and J-Hope recently drew criticism online after attending the event and posing for photos with him. It is worth noting that Brown has faced controversy over the years following allegations and cases involving violence and sexual misconduct.
“Your statement on the CB & RM/Jhope issue was firm & appreciated. Has your point of view changed since then?” the follower asked.
In her response, Salonga first acknowledged her position as a fan and said her actions would have little impact on the global supergroup, aside from possibly causing concern among fellow fans.
“First off, my being a fan can be equated to a single grain of sand on a massive beach. Whatever my actions are won’t affect anyone, except maybe cause consternation in the minds of other fans, which I do expect and accept responsibility for,” she wrote.
Lea then confirmed that she had unfollowed the two BTS members, stressing that her decision was not meant as a punishment.
“Yes I did unfollow, but I did it for my own sake. It’s not meant to be punitive to either of them, at all,” she explained.
“But I recognized that I was waking up sad and/or upset, or find myself way too affected. This was unhealthy so I took a step back, for me.”
Salonga further acknowledged that the BTS members are free to make their own decisions, just as she is free to make hers.
“As many fans have rightly pointed out, we are owed nothing really. They are autonomous human beings, but so am I, and whatever decisions I make are mine alone,” she wrote.
“If I hurt anyone in the aftermath, that isn’t my intention but I’m sorry if I hurt you nonetheless.”
Despite her decision, Lea reflected on the happiness BTS had brought into her life since 2020, sharing that the group had helped her through a difficult time.
“I am still so grateful for the typhoon they created in my life when they arrived in 2020,” she said.
“I was navigating my marriage ending, raising a teenager, and a global pandemic (not to mention the occasional death threat due to politics). They saved my sanity when I needed saving. I’ll never forget that,” Salonga concluded.
