Not overly enchanted by her homeland, Nancy Wilson of the iconic rock band Heart has faced a storm of criticism for her assertion that being an American is "more humiliating than ever." During an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel earlier this month, the 71-year-old singer of the hit "Barracuda" made this contentious remark, which gained widespread attention on March 24th, X Monday.
While reminiscing about the band's 1975 smash hit "Crazy on You," Wilson revealed, "Back then, we felt somewhat ashamed to call ourselves Americans due to the messy politics surrounding the Vietnam War." She further nuanced her stance, saying, "To put it delicately, the embarrassment has only intensified now."
However, Wilson's comments did not go unnoticed, sparking a firestorm of backlash from both fans and critics who lambasted the affluent singer for her divisive views on the country.
One X user scoffed, "Here she is, a millionaire who's made a fortune from her music, and she's spouting this nonsense. I just can't stand these people right now." Another angry critic penned, "She's welcome to seek out a country that better suits her fancy. I'd be willing to bet that if she were truly committed to her beliefs, she'd find a new home." A third user quipped, "Stop playing those '80s Heart tunes, and maybe it won't be so embarrassing." Another former fan of the band added, "It's shameful to be a Heart fan nowadays."
Some even urged Wilson to leave the US if she felt so ashamed. One person remarked, "Then just go; you won't be missed." Another commented, "I guess you should move."
Elsewhere in the interview, Wilson delved into the band's 1977 song "Barracuda," explaining that it was about "a genuine sleazebag in a satin jacket" who "sought to profit off the sexy members of Heart" throughout their career. She emphasized that "Barracuda" is "even more pertinent in today's salacious billionaire culture, characterized by a grab-them-by-the-pussy mentality."
Wilson added, "I believe that for women in this culture, the pendulum will swing back, heralding another renaissance in the arts to counter the oppression imposed by cranky, wealthy, old white men." She concluded, "I hope I live to witness this next revolution."
This controversial interview, followed by the intense backlash, came months after Wilson's older sister and bandmate, Ann Wilson, 74, announced that she had completed chemotherapy and was ready to resume touring. In September, Ann shared, "I'm doing perfectly fine now, but it's been, to put it mildly, quite a lot." She continued, "Chemotherapy is no laughing matter. It really takes a toll on a person. And then there's the agonizing two weeks of waiting for test results—a form of mental torture. I have immense empathy for anyone who's been through that."
Last summer, the sisters were compelled to postpone a Heart tour due to Ann's cancer diagnosis. Now back on the road, their next concert is scheduled for Monday night in Manitoba, Canada.
