One Direction singer Liam Payne is currently under criticism for sending a tweet to “Duck Dynasty” star Willie Robertson over the weekend expressing his respect for the family.
@williebosshog huge love to you/your family huge respect for your business prosperities and the family values you still all behold. big fan
— Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 18, 2014
Almost instantaneously, the Twitterverse was up in arms over Payne’s tweet, assuming that his tweet meant that he supported the comments made by Robertson’s father, Phil, on homosexuality in GQ Magazine last month. The “Duck Dynasty” patriarch was temporarily suspended from the hit A&E show after comparing homosexuality to bestiality and claiming that the “homosexual offenders” won’t “inherit the kingdom of God.”
YouTube star and gay activist Tyler Oakley chimed in on his Twitter account with disappointment.
Wow. Very confused and disappointed by this @Real_Liam_Payne tweet. This literally changes everything… pic.twitter.com/aQajQdJhfQ
— Tyler Oakley (@tyleroakley) January 18, 2014
Payne later responded to the criticism on Twitter, particularly that coming from journalists and bloggers.
Being a fan of someones show and the way they still hold a family together doesnt mean i am ok with all they say.
— Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 18, 2014
I just watched a show and I liked it as most people do stop sitting in my twitter and do your research #lazyjournos
— Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
Look at this shit I never said any if that write about something real for once there’s plenty of issues In the world pic.twitter.com/FDsqtyr5Ht
— Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) January 19, 2014
Payne’s tweet didn’t go unappreciated, however. Robertson tweeted back at the One Direction singer Sunday afternoon, thanking him for the support.
@Real_Liam_Payne Thanks bro. Congrats to u boys as well. Y’all keep rockin, we’ll keep quackin. Stay strong in this nutty world.
— Willie Robertson (@williebosshog) January 19, 2014
According to The Wall Street Journal, Payne couldn’t be reached for comment.
