It’s ridiculous that any artist in this day and age should have to deal with this level of ignorance.

I’ve worked my whole life to be respected for my art.

I’ve paid my dues. I’ve earned every success I’ve ever had.

For my hard work to be written off as the result of who I’m dating is not only sexist, but also completely uninformed.

I’d like to say society has come a long way when it comes to objectifying and blatantly disrespecting female artists, but if this is the perception of a strong hardworking woman’s reason for success, then we have a lot further to go.

Jack, you clearly don’t know me, so let me educate you a little.

I’ve been working hard at music since I was 6 years old. I’ve made it a priority throughout my career to not compromise my morals or my integrity. I am a proud, strong, talented artist. I’m not here because of my gender, or because of who I am with. In fact, Courage My Love was booked on Warped Tour long before Craig and I ever started dating.

YES I am a woman. YES I am dating Craig Owens. Craig respects my talent and passion. He has never handed me anything on a silver platter.

I am NOT here to make you look bad. This issue is bigger than you, me, Craig and my relationship, and even warped tour.

Normally I never reply to posts like this… But this isn’t just your problem, Jack. It’s society’s problem. If women like me keep grinning and baring comments like yours, the world will never change. There are others out there, who see a strong woman’s flame and inadvertently stamp it out. Whether or not that’s what you meant to do, it happened.

I hope to live in a world one day where I don’t have to read comments like these. Where the perception that behind every great woman is a great man does not exist. I want people like you to STOP questioning the credibility of a woman’s success and strength.

Because the truth is, we will succeed with or without you.

The only time you should question me is when you interview me.