Nick Lachey, member of the popular boy band 98 Degrees, recently shared an acoustic cover of Halsey’s hit song “Without Me” on TikTok. The video quickly went viral, amassing over 5 million views and sparking a wave of mixed reactions from viewers. While some praised Lachey’s vocal talents, others couldn’t help but cringe at his exaggerated performance. Let’s delve into the controversy surrounding this viral video.
In the TikTok video, accompanied by a guitarist, Lachey gives his all while singing “Without Me.” His vocal abilities are technically on point, hitting all the right notes. However, many viewers felt uncomfortable watching the performance, finding it overly embellished and cringe-worthy. The exaggerated gestures and expressions seemed out of place, prompting trolls to mercilessly roast the singer.
On the video-sharing app, trolls wasted no time in expressing their disdain for Lachey’s rendition. One user posted a duet video with the caption, “When you’re on a 3rd date and he whips out a guitar and says he’s ‘never done this before.'” The comment section filled up with snarky remarks, with one person sarcastically referencing Lachey’s boy band by saying, “It’s giving 28 degrees.” Another joked, “It’s giving room temp 78°.” The trolling even extended to questioning Lachey’s decision to share the video, as one viewer commented, “The crazy part is he taped this, watched it, and said yep this is the one. Post it.”
Some users drew comparisons between Lachey’s acoustic number and an awkward scene from a fictional movie. They likened it to a moment in Greta Gerwig’s imaginary “Barbie” movie, where Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, serenades Barbie, portrayed by Margot Robbie, in an uncomfortable manner. These comparisons added another layer of criticism to the already controversial video.
Despite the backlash, there were viewers who came to Lachey’s defense. They argued that the singer did not deserve the excessive criticism and acknowledged the difficulty of performing a song without the aid of autotune. One supporter wrote, “He is not bad at all. I don’t know why people are making fun of him. For real. He’s older and his tone has changed but so many people cannot do this!” Another person chimed in, “I’m not even a fan of this guy but I think he sounds good. Y’all are too used to everybody using autotune.”
Some fans commended Lachey’s willingness to be vulnerable and appreciated the sincerity in his performance. They found his rendition endearing and even went as far as labeling it “cute.” These fans emphasized that Lachey’s acoustic cover showcased a different side of his musical abilities.
As of now, Nick Lachey has not publicly addressed the backlash to his viral TikTok video. Whether this silence indicates his acceptance or dismissal of the criticism remains unknown.
Nick Lachey’s acoustic cover of Halsey’s “Without Me” on TikTok has proven to be a divisive topic among viewers. While some praised his vocal abilities and appreciated his vulnerability, others cringed at his exaggerated performance. The controversy surrounding this viral video demonstrates the power of social media and the diverse range of opinions it can provoke. It also highlights the importance of interpreting performances in different ways and the subjectivity that comes with artistic expression.