Steven Hall, the musician who performs as Nirosta Steel, has issued an apology for following the accounts of what appeared to be AI-generated child actors on the popular Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as Red Note.
On Monday, August 24, an X account with the username @simonwestgate shared a post that read, “now wtf is nirosta steel following suspicious ai shotacon accounts and random kids on xiaohongshu?????” (“Shotacon” is an Anglicized Japanese term for an attraction to or erotic depiction of underage boys.) @simonwestgate’s post included one screenshot of what appeared to be Hall’s “Following” list and another of his “Notes” section. Among the accounts Hall followed, several have profile images picturing young Asian boys—some showing the boys shirtless, many of which appear to be AI-generated. Hall’s account has since been deleted.
“A few weeks ago my husband told me people on Rednote were getting into my music,” writes Hall in a statement, “so I went on to take a look and followed a bunch of accounts quickly without paying much attention to what they posted. I was really surprised when a friend sent me screenshots of accounts I followed. I did not realize that a few of the accounts contained highly toxic content, so I deleted my profile. Those accounts don’t reflect my interests in any way. I understand the concern, but I can’t help thinking that ageism and homophobia are also factors in the discussion surrounding me.” You can read his full statement below.
Hall is slated to play four shows as Nirosta Steel at New York’s Nightclub 101 on September 10, 11, and 12. He’s also booked for this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival London. A pair of performances at Chicago’s Hideout was recently canceled and has been replaced with a single January date at Lincoln Hall.
I want to give my response to some speculation swirling around on the internet recently.
A few weeks ago my husband told me people on Rednote were getting into my music, so I went on to take a look and followed a bunch of accounts quickly without paying much attention to what they posted.
I was really surprised when a friend sent me screenshots of accounts I followed. I did not realize that a few of the accounts contained highly toxic content, so I deleted my profile. Those accounts don’t reflect my interests in any way.
I understand the concern, but I can’t help thinking that ageism and homophobia are also factors in the discussion surrounding me.
I apologize to any of my fans who were upset by this misunderstanding. I need to be more careful on social media. I ask that you have a little grace for an old hippie who doesn’t know his way around the internet.