JUDGING SOMEONE FOR how they navigate profound loss would seem like an alien concept to most of us.
Unfortunately, however, some of the individuals Sophie Perry has encountered online since the untimely death of her father Luke Perry last week has proven that when it comes to empathy, a worrying number are truly devoid of it.
Last week, Sophie thanked her father’s fans and followers for reaching out following his passing, and admitted that she was struggling to deal with the situation in the glare of the media spotlight.
I’m not really sure what to say or do in this situation, it’s something you aren’t ever given a lesson on how to handle, especially when it’s all happening in the public eye. So bear with me and know that I am grateful for all the love.
Despite this admission, Sophie, who was in Malawi when her father became ill, has fallen victim to trolls who she says have attempted to dictate how she expresses herself in the days and weeks following her father’s death.
In a poignant post shared on Instagram last night, 18-year-old Sophie reminded the public that she was thrust into the spotlight on account of her father’s passing, and her response to such a loss shouldn’t be up for discussion.
“Since my dad died I have received a lot of attention online. And most of it has been positive but of course, some people just can’t be nice,” she began the post which has been liked almost 30,000 times.
I’m here to say that I did not ask for this attention, I did not ask to be thrown into some virtual spotlight, and while I don’t mean to offend anybody, I’m also not going to cater to any one else’s needs and beliefs.
“I’m 18,” she continued “I swear like a sailor and sometimes I dress like a hooker. And I support causes and you may not. And most importantly, I am going to laugh and smile and live my normal life.”
YES I am hurt and sad and crying and beside myself with what happened to my dad. It’s the worst thing to ever happen in my life. And I am torn the f*ck up over it. But I’m not going to sit in my room and cry day in and day out until the internet has deemed it appropriate for me to do otherwise.
Making specific reference to Luke who was highly regarded in the TV industry, Sophie added: “And if you knew my dad you would know he wouldn’t want me to.”
To those of you shaming me for my language and my wardrobe and most disgustingly, my grieving process, do us both the favor and just unfollow.
Sophie appeared to come under fire last Friday when she shared a photo of herself smiling alongside her mother Minnie on National Women’s Day.
“You all know my dad is a super star, but I just want to share for a moment that I got really f*cking lucky in the parental department because this is my mom. Minnie,” she wrote alongside the post which ultimately became subject to backlash due to its ‘profanity’.