What Happens to the Art When the Artists Behave Badly?
As the list of once-beloved artists who’ve been exposed for illegal or immoral behavior grows, many of us are left asking ourselves an important, uncomfortable question: What happens to the art when the artist is no longer who we thought they were?
From Bill Cosby and R. Kelly to Kevin Spacey, Trey Songz, and most recently, Diddy, we are constantly confronted with revelations about the actions of some of the biggest names in entertainment. This reckoning is forcing audiences to confront what to do with the legacies of these artists. It’s a complicated issue that brings up feelings of grief, loss, and inner conflict.
Diddy
Do we cancel the art along with the artist?
The Grief of Letting Go
For many, the realization that a favorite artist has engaged in harmful or illegal behavior feels like a personal betrayal. These are people whose work may have comforted us in difficult times, inspired us to pursue our dreams, or simply made us feel good. Letting go of their art feels like losing a part of ourselves. It’s no wonder there’s grief involved—there's an emotional connection to the art that can feel like a deep, personal loss when we’re forced to reconcile it with the misdeeds of the creator.
There’s a mourning process that occurs when we realize we can no longer listen to that song, watch that film, or appreciate that artwork in the same way. We grieve not only the art but also the person we thought the artist was. It’s a real and valid emotional experience, and many of us struggle with this internal dilemma: Is it possible to separate the art from the artist? And if not, how do we make peace with losing something that once brought us joy?
The Right to Hold On
On the flip side, there are those who feel the need to maintain loyalty to the artist or, at the very least, to the art. Some argue that the work should be viewed independently from the creator, that art transcends the flaws of the human being behind it. In this view, the art continues to hold value and meaning, even if the artist does not.
As someone with a deep commitment to honoring and advocating for women and marginalized groups, but also a lover of music, film, and art, I personally find myself in a difficult position. There are artists whose work has significantly impacted me, yet I can’t ignore the harm they’ve caused. I wonder if others are feeling the same. How do we navigate this space between acknowledging harm while still appreciating the artistic expression that has influenced so much of our culture?
You have every right to make your own decision about this. Whether you continue to consume the art or let it go is a personal choice, and no one can dictate how you navigate your relationship with these artists. The key is being intentional about your decision. For some, continuing to engage with the work feels like a betrayal of their values, while others see the art as something separate and worth preserving.
Storytelling and Narrative Making: The Stories We Tell Ourselves
If you decide to continue consuming the art, there is a story you must tell yourself in order to justify your choice. This narrative-making is essential because it helps us resolve the cognitive dissonance that arises when we enjoy the art of someone we know has done harm.
Do we convince ourselves that the art itself is more important than the artist’s actions? Do we frame the artist’s wrongdoing as irrelevant to the power of their work? Or do we acknowledge the harm but separate the artist’s personal life from their professional achievements?
In telling ourselves these stories, we’re engaging in a form of self-preservation. It’s easier to create a narrative that allows us to continue enjoying the art than to confront the discomfort of losing something that means so much to us. But in doing so, we risk becoming complicit, excusing bad behavior because of our love for the art.
Are We Complicit?
This is perhaps the toughest question to grapple with. Are we, as consumers, complicit when we continue to support the work of those who have committed harm? Is there a moral responsibility to walk away from the art if it was used to fund illegal or immoral acts? These are questions that don’t have easy answers, and everyone will come to their own conclusion.
But we must be honest with ourselves about the consequences of our choices. Continuing to consume the work of an artist who has caused harm means we are, in some ways, contributing to their legacy. At the same time, refusing to engage with the art is a way of standing up for our values, but it can also feel like erasing a part of our culture and history.
Conclusion: The Struggle Is Real
The conflict between loving art and condemning the artist is real, and it's something many of us will continue to wrestle with. It’s a personal journey, one that requires deep reflection and, sometimes, hard choices. There’s no right or wrong answer, only what feels right for you.
What stories are we willing to tell ourselves to continue consuming their art? And how do we reconcile the good that their art has brought into the world with the harm they’ve caused?
If you’re a storyteller or creative professional grappling with these kinds of questions, it’s worth exploring the layers and complexities of the characters we create. Whether you’re crafting villains, heroes, or something in between, it’s important to develop characters that reflect the complexities of real people.
If you want to dive deeper into how to create layered, transformative characters, let’s work together! As a psychologist and storytelling consultant, I help creators build characters that resonate with audiences in meaningful and authentic ways. Check out my full blog post for more insights or get in touch to schedule a consultation.
What do you think? Should the art be canceled along with the artist? Or can we separate the two? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Be well,
Dr. Jasmine
