Bryan Adams issues apology after backlash over problematic coronavirus Instagram rant

Canadian singer Bryan Adams has posted an apology after an initial tirade about coronavirus expressing his anger that a series of concerts have been cancelled due to the global pandemic, apparently blaming Chinese people for the virus’ existence.

“Thanks to some fu***** bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy bastards, the whole world is now on hold,” Adams wrote in his original rant.

“My message to them other than ‘thanks a fu***** lot’ is go vegan.”

After the post was up for several hours, Adams edited it to add a section acknowledging the thousands of people who have died or suffered from the virus.

The post drew backlash from the Chinese-Canadian community as well as Twitterati in general, causing the hashtag #BryanAdamsIsCancelled to trend on Twitter.

“Come on, man… what is this,” added Canadian actor Simu Liu, best known for the role of Jung CBC’s Kim’s Convenience.

Some even called for Governor General Julie Payette to revoke Adams’ Order of Canada which was awarded to him in 2003.

After hours of this intense criticism and turning off the ability to comment on his rant, Adams issued an apology post on Tuesday morning.

“Apologies to any and all that took offence to my posting yesterday. No excuse, I just wanted to have a rant about the horrible animal cruelty in these wet-markets being the possible source of the virus, and promote veganism,” he wrote.

“I have love for all people and my thoughts are with everyone dealing with this pandemic around the world.”

Adams did not address the part of his rant that talked about “virus making greedy bastards”, which alludes to the unsubstantiated theory of the Chinese government creating the virus in a lab for some reason.

While most have criticized Adams for his insulting post, others have come to his defence wondering how his post was racist — it makes sweeping generalizations about a single group of people, and additionally calls them “fu***** bat eating… bastards”.

Other defenders of Adams come from vegan groups like PETA.

PETA responded to Adams original tirade, when commenting on the post was still allowed, saying “This is why it’s crucial for everyone to go vegan now to prevent the next pandemic. It’s up to us to create a kinder, healthier future for all species.”

In recent months, there have been increases in racially motivated attacks against people of Chinese heritage in Canada, and particularly in B.C.

These race-based crimes have prompted the B.C. provincial government to create a response force based out of the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS).

Most recently, Vancouver Police is looking for a man who approached a woman standing on the sidewalk in downtown Vancouver, punched her in the face, and walked away.