Twitter can sometimes make for odd, if not random, social media bedfellows. Take for instance the recent series of tweets from One Direction singer Liam Payne after he received grief for showing his support of Willie Robertson and the Robertson family of Duck Dynasty fame.
The family is a hot button topic after patriarch Phil Roberston’s filter free comments in regards to his views on homosexuality and race. Because of this reality in regards to the reality TV show, what seemed like a pretty innocuous tweet turned into a firestorm when Liam sent it out to his over 15 million followers.
Here’s what started it all:
Folks started replying with anger and vitriol because they felt that this was Payne defending Phil’s stances. He then spent quite some time, and quite a few tweets, trying to explain how that wasn’t the case.
Here is Liam’s nearly full stream of responses:
Being a fan of someones show and the way they still hold a family together doesnt mean i am ok with all they say.
— Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 18, 2014
@hsmharry i do when im being called something im not , people can love who they want , its none of my business — Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 18, 2014
@DavidLevitz again i just like the show and i love when families stick together, i havent said i agree with all that theyve ever said — Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 18, 2014
@DavidLevitz also i was severely bullied all through school , i would never wish that feeling on anyone — Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 18, 2014
Oh my god can someone literally not be a fan if a show without bring labeled WTf I bought dinner the other day it made a news story — Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
What I gotta do to please you bastards I’m a 20 year old just living life as you did when u where twenty but in extraordinary circumstances
— Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
I can’t do anything without being judged u try that and write about it
— Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
And I know I’m playing into your hands writing these tweets but I’m sick of stupid stories it’s time you all grow up — Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
And write about things that actually matter not what im gunna have for dinner tomorrow or who I’m a fan if real stories — Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
I just watched a show and I liked it as most people do stop sitting in my twitter and do your research #lazyjournos — Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
@tyleroakley that changes everything you obviously wernt a fan I said nothing I liked a show that was on my tv nothing about you or whatever — Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
All those tweets are aimed at journalists and bloggers not fans — Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
Sick of all this bull il be back again when the freedom of speech law is back and people don’t believe to much into the bulls#!t they read — Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
Can’t wait for the call tomorrow where I get told of for cussing had to be said like I said before much worse has happened In the world
— Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
Pick ur balls up off the floor and get on with it instead of taking advantage of every word said and twisting it for your own gain
— Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
My two cents worth… I think Liam had the right to feel like his simple tweet-out to Willie was taken too far by so many. I think you can be a fan of the show and the Robertsons and not agree with Phil’s world view. Heck, the author who originally got those quotes from Phil stated that he couldn’t have been more opposed to Phil’s beliefs but that he also liked the Robertsons and enjoyed his time with the family that graciously welcomed him into their home.
As for Willie, he was appreciative of the support:
@Real_Liam_Payne Thanks bro. Congrats to u boys as well. Y’all keep rockin, we’ll keep quackin. Stay strong in this nutty world.
— Willie Robertson (@williebosshog) January 19, 2014
