Dami Im the Subject of Racist Tweets Following 'X Factor Australia' Win
Dami Im the Subject of Racist Tweets Following 'X Factor Australia' Win
Following her win in The X Factor Australia 2013 Grand Final, singer Dami Im was subjected to a series of racist tweets from those who felt the Brisbane-based singer was unworthy of the win.
Several tweets circulated online in the twenty-four hours after her win, with several proclaiming Dami's win unfair since she isn't actually an Australian native, having emigrated to the country from South Korea at age eight. One tweet declared "it's not Australian X Factor if an Asian wins," while another proclaimed "this is Australian X factor not bloody ASIAN factor". Another stated, "i'm not being mean, but it'll be kinda unfair if dami wins xfactor i mean she's not even australian, english isn't even her first language". One other person took the bitterness even further, saying, "A maiden wins the cox plate and an asian wins the Xfactor, what is this world coming to?"
But despite the negative tweets quickly making the rounds online, Dami's fans came to her defense even quicker.
Attacking Dami as Australia's X Factor winner because she is Asian makes you less of an Australian than you claim she is.... #xfactorau
— Matty Robinson (@goldcoastmatt) October 28, 2013
so many racist peoplee man! fair enough if you dont like her voice or whatever, but dami being asian doesnt make her any different than us
— nathalia (@natits_) October 28, 2013
Can't people just be happy for Dami? Who cares if she's Asian? Ethnicity has nothing to do with singing ability ???? #xfactor
— J0§h (@jshtrgs) October 28, 2013
Dami told News Corp she was "so thankful" for those who came to her defense, saying, "Some people can be really racist. There's people like that in every country but most people have stood up for me and I didn't have to say a word. There's more good people who respect me than there are that call me 'the Asian'. I have been so lucky and I am so thankful."
The singer has already had a whirlwind twenty-four hours since her victory, as her debut single, "Alive," reached #1 on iTunes in Australia. Sony Music Australia also spoke publicly about their enthusiasm for the singer, stating they are "thrilled" to be releasing her self-titled debut album in November.
"Our winner, Dami Im, is a unique talent and much-loved by the public. She is now working with the best in the business with Denis [Handlin] and his team at Sony," said Ian Hogg, CEO Fremantle Media Australia & Asia Pacific in a statement.
Dami Im's debut album will release on November 22.
Via: Perth Now