Musician divides audiences over controversial Margaret Court slating
Phoebe Bridgers has been both praised and condemned for her brutal slating of Margaret Court.
The American musician was performing to a sold out crowd in Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena, when she took aim at the venue's namesake.
The 28-year-old Los Angeles native condemned the 80-year-old tennis champion-turned-Christian pastor, who has in recent years become a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage and transgender rights.
Turning to the crowd during the concert on Wednesday , Bridgers declared: “So, Margaret Court. F*** that stupid***, dumb*** b****. F*** that stupid c***. Change your name!”
She then encouraged the riled-up crowd to chant “F*** Margaret Court!” before continuing, “I think hate is undervalued. I think it’s like a f***ing weird, white supremacist idea that hate is bad, or something?"
“You know what I mean? It’s like hate is like what moves things throughout history. I hate that stupid b****!"
“Hate is like how you protect yourself. What, are you never supposed to be angry, ever?”
Phoebe's full rant was posted to Twitter and can be viewed here.
The expletive-ridden tirade quickly went viral online, with Bridgers' fans and Court's critics hailing the move as "iconic".
“It was the most beautiful moment of my life” one concertgoer raved, while another social media user posted: “Now I’m a fan!” as others called for the venue to be renamed Phoebe Bridgers Arena.
While the reaction to the musician's protest was mostly supportive, a small group of Margaret Court sympathisers online slammed her on-stage chants.
One person wrote, "Any clue why she’s saying f*** Margaret Court: a world famous tennis player who’s home was actually broken into this week?….. very vile."
Image credits: Getty Images