Chalk it up to poor planning or a delusional PR team, but singer Robin Thicke's Twitter Q&A unsurprisingly went sour this week as critics of his music and behavior hurled 140-character-or-less jokes his way via hashtag #AskThicke.
The open call for questions swiftly attracted hate tweets, which someone on Thicke's social team should have anticipated, particularly after the ugly reception his latest album (named after his estranged wife Paula) and music video for "Get Her Back" recently received.
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Some people have viewed the 37-year-old musician's pining lyrics and impassioned music video as sad examples of not moving on once a relationship is over, while other critics have long said the "Blurred Lines" singer objectifies women.
The Twitter crowd expressed those unfavorable feelings late Monday night:
#AskThicke How far across that blurred line do you have to be before it constitutes rape?— Jeff Leach (@jeffleach) July 1, 2014
#AskThickeWhat's it like being the human personification of a mid life crisis?— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) July 1, 2014
#AskThicke Can we collaborate on a musical record? Preferably one about pizza. I am passionate about it and often objectify and eat it.— William Haynes (@MrWilliamHaynes) July 1, 2014
Train A leaves the station at 40mph and train B leaves at 55mph, how far is the judge going to order you to stay away from Paula #AskThicke— Tristan (@AyoTristan) July 1, 2014
#AskThicke Do you have any plans for songs or music videos that don’t promote rape or stalking?— OBJECT (@ObjectUpdate) July 1, 2014
#AskThicke Are you an actual predator or just a profoundly boring man desperately trying and failing to make erotically-charged music?— linkshund (@linkshund) July 1, 2014
#AskThicke If you sang in a forest and nobody was there to hear it would you still sound like a creepy, rapey, pound-shop Justin Timberlake?— Stay Lucky Clothing (@StayLuckyCo) July 1, 2014
#AskThicke don't you think this is an ironic hashtag considering you're not one for asking?— Thomas Simpson (@Simmy41) July 1, 2014
How often should I delete my internet search history? You strike me as a good person to ask. #AskThicke— Toby Whithouse (@hanniganspiteri) July 1, 2014
This epic #askthicke hashtag doesn't make up for the Hobby Lobby blow to my uterus yesterday, but it's helping to ease the pain.— Ivy Vaughn (@ivy_vaughn) July 1, 2014
His rape anthem: 99p. His ex-wife stalking album: £8.99. The #AskThicke hashtag tearing his ego in two: PRICELESS.— Sarah Myles (@sjmyles) July 1, 2014
On Tuesday afternoon, Thicke used VH1's Twitter account to begin answering questions and responding to tweets, including this one about the hateful tweets that have come his way in the past 24 hours:
I'm a big boy. I can handle it. RT @IamEast Man people are brutal on this #AskThicke— VH1 (@VH1) July 1, 2014
There has been a lot of controversy around your song "Blurred Lines" and new album, "Paula," how do you respond? #AskThicke— VH1 Music (@VH1Music) July 1, 2014
What controversy? Hahaha #AskThicke— VH1 (@VH1) July 1, 2014
Thank you all for your time. I love you and hope the album brings you joy. #AskThicke— VH1 (@VH1) July 1, 2014
BONUS: Robin Thicke Needs a Hug: Watch Him Pine Over Ex in Sad 'Get Her Back'