It’s more than just the drama
Back in 2016, YouTube was my best friend. That’s where I learned so much about the LGBTQ+ community and got introduced to YouTuber Nowthisisliving, also known as Shannon Beveridge. Shannon was my lesbian guru. She released videos about coming out, the struggle of being gay in unsafe spaces, and explained different identities, such as bisexuality.
At the time, Shannon was in a relationship with another YouTuber, Cammie Scott. That was the first time I saw a W/W couple and knew it was okay to be queer. When Shannon and Cammie broke up, it was devastating to me and many other followers. However, I didn’t stop following them, and I was excited to learn that Shannon started dating musician Cari Fletcher (stage name, FLETCHER) in 2017. I became obsessed with FLETCHER, as she was one of the first openly queer artists I listened to. When FLETCHER released her song “Wasted Youth”, Shannon was in the video, and I literally started crying because seeing more W/W representation in the media was so validating. Then, when FLETCHER and Shannon broke up in 2020, I cried again.
The S(EX) Tapes
In March 2020, FLETCHER released the song “Forever”, which was about youth and partying, but also wanting to stay in a relationship. Soon after the song was released, a breakup was speculated, even though Shannon helped with the music video, and they still lived together. FLETCHER released her single “If I Hated You” in August off of her new EP, “The S(ex) Tapes”, and that’s when the breakup became official. The whole EP was essentially based on their relationship. In fact, in one of the songs, “Sex with my Ex”, FLETCHER and Shannon were in the music video together, confirming their breakup but suggesting they were on good terms.
“Becky’s So Hot”
This is where TikTok comes into play. Shannon started dating a woman named Becky around 2021, and again, the consensus is that everyone is on good terms. However, things changed in July 2022 when FLETCHER used TikTok to release a small part of her new song. These were the lyrics.
“Are you in love like we were?
If I were you, I’d probably keep her
Makes me wanna hit her when I see her
‘Cause Becky’s so hot in your vintage t-shirt.”
At first, FLETCHER released a version without the name “Becky”, but then dropped the name in another Tik Tok. Everyone was shocked, and sides began to emerge. Shannon tweeted, “An empath would never” in response to the lyrics. Then, Shannon unfollowed FLETCHER on all social media platforms, and good terms were no more. Shannon released a video explaining that she wasn’t in on the name-drop lyric, denying that this was a PR move.
In an interview, FLETCHER said that she did notify Shannon and Becky of the lyric. People supporting Shannon stated how FLETCHER needed to move on, and how it was disrespectful to name-drop her ex’s current girlfriend. People supporting FLETCHER said that as a musician, she can sing whatever she wants and the lyrics were respectful and positive. Then there’s me, feeling conflicted about both. After FLETCHER releases the whole song, more drama ensues.
Red Corvette T-shirt
In the second verse of the song, Fletcher sings:
“I used to wear it too, yeah, it’s the cropped one
With the red corvette, someone new riding shotgun.”
People were intrigued about what t-shirt FLETCHER was talking about, and became invested in finding out. Shannon then took things to a whole new level by selling vintage t-shirts with a picture of a red corvette with the “Becky’s so hot” lyric. They stated that some proceeds went to the Trevor Project, but fans were skeptical of how much of the proceeds were donated and whether PR was involved. FLETCHER reposted Shannon’s Instagram post of the T-shirt, with the caption saying “Iconic.” Suddenly, people were losing empathy toward Shannon and Becky.
“Sting”
Fletcher releases a clip of her new song, “Sting” on Tik Tok. She sings:
“Xo, do you ever miss me?
You chose brand new over history
That’s cold, guess we’re fifty-fifty.”
Shannon duets the song on TikTok. FLETCHER bought one of the BECKY vintage T-shirts, and Shannon posts a TikTok about refunding the order, sharing that she does not agree with the song lyrics. Now people are asking, “If proceeds are going to charity, why does it matter if FLETCHER brought the T-shirt?” FLETCHER responds to Shannon’s TikTok by tweeting, “Wait…a songwriter writes about their life and their own feelings?” And Shannon responds, “I’m exhausted.”
Photo: Shannon Beveridge
Where we are now
FLETCHER just sang “Becky’s So Hot” on Jimmy Fallon, and posted a picture wearing the t-shirt. Shannon recently tweeted, “I will be blocking people who don’t respect me, my life, and my peace […].” It seems that neither side is going to be friendly with the other, and it’ll be interesting to see if anything new happens.
Overall, I can’t choose a side. Was FLETCHER wrong for releasing “Becky’s So Hot”? I don’t think so. However, the lack of communication between her, Shannon, and Becky is problematic. Shannon wasn’t wrong for using FLETCHER’s lyrics for charity, but why did she refund FLETCHER’s order?
In conclusion, this drama on TikTok is a lot, and if there’s anything that you’ve learned, it’s that lesbians never back down.