Theroux had called XXXTentacion a ‘huge talent’ (Picture: ABACAPRESS/Rex)

Louis Theroux has moved to clear up a tweet he wrote in the wake of rapper XXXTentacion’s death last week.

The rising Florida rapper was shot and killed in Deerfield Beach, Florida on June 18. He was 20.

Shortly after news of his passing broke, Theroux wrote on Twitter: ‘Notwithstanding personal demons, he was a huge talent & bringing a beautiful new feel to hip hop. So sad.’

Notwithstanding personal demons, he was a huge talent & bringing a beautiful new feel to hip hop. So sad. #moonlight https://t.co/E2UYdFMkfz — Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) June 18, 2018

Theroux’s comments were met with a mixed response from his followers, with a number of Twitter users keen to remind the documentary-maker that XXXTentacion had previously been accused of domestic abuse.


The rapper was also facing trial on charges including aggravated battery of a pregnant woman and domestic battery by strangulation at the time of his death.



Yesterday, Australian theatre-maker Shannan Ely shared a short essay on her take on Theroux’s ‘show of support, appreciation and respect’ for XXXTentacion.

I saw this tweet last week and couldn't stop thinking about the "good art vs. bad person" dilemma. Thanks for the food for thought, Louis.https://t.co/hreKufuFz4 — Shannan Ely (@shannan_ely) June 25, 2018

One section of the passionate essay read: ‘I would argue that we start putting [XXXTentacion’s] actions in life, towards women and towards those who he used his power over to abuse, above what he created. I would put his actions before talent.

‘Artistic brilliance does not negate the actions of a serial abuser, nor does it need to be the factor we place at the forefront of our speech.’

XXXTentacion performing in 2017 (Picture: Getty)

Having read the piece, Theroux later quote-tweeted Ely’s reply by clarifying his initial comments about XXXTentacion.

‘Thanks for [your] thoughtful piece,’ he wrote to Ely. ‘My tweet about XXXTentacion was meant to acknowledge the sadness of the death of a 20yo.

‘I don’t believe compassion [should] be reserved only for the righteous. But I hear all those who felt my comment did a disservice to victims of domestic violence.’

Thanks for yr thoughtful piece. My tweet about XXXTentacion was meant to acknowledge the sadness of the death of a 20yo. I don't believe compassion sd be reserved only for the righteous. But I hear all those who felt my comment did a disservice to victims of domestic violence. https://t.co/XG1RWXWFwB — Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) June 25, 2018

A memorial service for XXXTentacion will be held in Florida tomorrow (27 June).

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