It took a few days, but gay violinist Chris Marchant is finally apologizing for that whole sexy cemetery photo shoot debacle that got way blown out of proportion.
Just to recap: Last weekend, Marchant, who is a member of the popular all-gay string quartet Well-Strung, caused a stir on Instagram when posted a half naked image of himself leaning up against an obelisk in a Provincetown cemetery.
He captioned the photo: “Can’t wait to get back to Ptown for Halloween and to help with the launch weekend of @ptownbrewingco!”. He was referring a partnership with his friend’s brewery, Provincetown Brewing Company.
NBD, right?
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Turns out people weren’t so into Marchant’s sexy cemetery photo shoot. But when they expressed their opposition to the photo (“Somebody wasn’t buried there for you take an abs pic,” one person commented), instead of just apologizing, Marchant got defensive.
“My abs aren’t the point,” he quipped. “I lived next to the graveyard last summer and often walked through the paths and graves. I don’t see why standing next to or on a stone that represents someone’s life and death equals disrespect.”
Then he said he’s “willing to take the bet” that Provincetown’s deceased “would be happy” about the photo.
Related: This gay violinist is very offended people are very offended by his sexy cemetery photo shoot
It wasn’t until media outlets reached out to the brewery Marchant was promoting that he finally deleted the post. Then yesterday, he walked back his initial remarks and apologized for the photo.
“A few days ago, in an effort to promote a friend’s new company, I posted a picture that offended some people,” he wrote. “In it, I was leaning, shirtless, against a gravestone in Provincetown.”
He continued: “While it was never my intention to offend, I understand that it was disrespectful to take such a picture against a memorial to the life of someone I never knew.”
“I deleted it, because the point of the post was to help a friend, and I would never want for my personal actions or words to harm the efforts of anyone else. I apologize for any offense I caused.”
Apology accepted.
See Marchant’s full post below.
Mozo83
I think hawking beer at a cemetery is pretty tasteless, shirt or not.
I also believe cemeteries are a waste of land and burial a ridiculous, archaic practice, but that’s me.
oldpluto
if cemeteries are a waste of space, why is taking any kind of photo in poor taste?
Raphael
oldpluto, because being a waste it’s his opinion. Still, there are people who need those places for emotional reasons. That’s why he said it’s tasteless.
Smith David
Welp!…seems like it’s gonna be a slow news week. This entire story is birdie.
Xzamilloh
Oh whatever. This is so stupid
Thad
I’m sure there are some buried in that cemetery who would totally approve. I’m still glad sensitivity won out in this case. I trust apologies will be accepted and the brewery and Well-Strung continue making people happy.
oldpluto
we take death way too seriously
Ejzuber
Queerty – ENOUGH ALREADY. One thing about our community that has always disturbed me is how quick we are to turn on our own. I met this guy when he was busking on the street with his violin. If he’s managed to build a name for himself based on both his remarkable talent AND his looks, good for him. You guys have no business criticizing Chris’s photos given how much time you spend thirsting over other people’s trashy, product-endorsing Instas.
And by the way, I’ve seen his abs in person and I can assure you that he is NOT sucking them in.
Raphael
I don’t know if it’s something worth of such attention, but I do agree that a cemetery photo shoot it’s not a good idea, specially a “sexy” one. Just take note and don’t go taking pictures near graves again. It’s weird for anyone.
tham
I’m pretty sure the person who was buried their thought “no one has visited me in over 75 years…oh is the new style of pantaloons?”
Manufactured offended feelings. That’s all this is…
Rob91316
Everybody needs to pull the stick out of their ass over this. If shirtless, beer-drinking hunks want to walk, pose, dance or party over my grave, they are welcome to have at it any time!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Maybe he was strung out…..
Birdbrain1963
Waaaaaaaaa…
tghost54
I’m offended that everyone is offended.