Despite the fact that two out of four members of the Italian rock band Måneskin belong to the LGBT community, they have been met with criticism for so-called “queerbaiting”.
“Queerbaiting” is described as a form of marketing, where a heterosexual person hints at being gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans in order to attract an LGBT audience.
Many believe that vocalist Damiano David (24) and guitarist Thomas Raggi (22)’s style, which often includes make-up and high heels, is inappropriate because they are heterosexual men.
Denies the charges
In a new interview with The Guardian says bassist Victoria De Angelis (22) that some of the accusations the band receives are extreme.
– It is stupid of queer people, who should fight these stereotypes, to label it as this (queerbaiting, journ.anm) and create more hatred. The fact that Raggi and David are straight doesn’t mean they can’t wear make-up or heels, says the 22-year-old.
DIVIDED OPINIONS: Måneskin says that the home country has divided opinions about how the band behaves in public. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris
David agrees, adding that everything he and Raggi do is after all filtered by two people who are queer – De Angelis and drummer Ethan Torchio (22).
– Of course we don’t experience the same, but we live very closely with people from society every day, says the vocalist.
Thinks the home country is conservative
After the victory in Eurovision in 2021, a great success followed both in Italy and internationally. But the band quickly noted that the mood in their homeland is divided.
– There is a group of people who love us and are very proud of what we do, and then there is a completely different part made up of conservative and traditional rock’n’roll fans and fascists who hate us with everything they have, says David.
He claims that there are even a number of conspiracy theories out there about the rock band.
BOLD: The band Måneskin is known for its daring performances in half-naked clothing. Vocalist Damiano David here photographed during Coachella in 2022. Photo: Rich Fury
– They say that we have become famous because we are paid. That we work with the Italian government to share this gender fluid culture.
De Angelis jumps into the conversation and emphasizes that many people are very proud of them.
– But Italy is a very conservative country, and they are frightened by the fact that someone can wear make-up and high heels or act half-naked and not be straight. But fuck them, she adds.
Claims they are misunderstood
The interview also discusses the band’s lifestyle and the many misunderstandings that a life in the public eye has brought with it.
– People think we act like the Sex Pistols or Mötley Crüe, but we’re nowhere near that. We have become more educated about the risks of drugs and how they affect your body. I don’t drink alcohol anymore, says David.
– We don’t think real rock music is about these stereotypes of sex and drugs, and the “rock’n’roll lifestyle”. It’s about expression and creative freedom, concludes De Angelis.
