Fiona Apple Slams Tabloid Media, Singles Out TMZ And Perez Hilton [Video]

Fiona Apple is not the media’s biggest fan right now.

After her arrest for possession of hashish and weed earlier this month, the singer has lashed out at tabloid reporting of the incident. Unsurprisingly, considering TMZ and gossip maven Perez Hilton’s less than flattering coverage, Apple reserved most of her anger for these websites.

The 35-year-old’s rant took place at a recent concert in Clearwater, Florida. Apple’s seven minute rage-against-the-system was uploaded to YouTube on September 30. The clip shows Apple sitting on the stage floor railing against her critics in front of a supportive audience.

Calling the media “totally irresponsible,” Apple directed the first part of her monologue to Hilton:

“All right, this is all going to culminate in me actually talking to Perez Hilton and I’m sorry man, but you’re the only that has the guts to be a person rather than a like bunch of people like TMZ or whatever, I can give you that.”

The singer went on to say:

“I did the wrong thing … but I did myself a disservice by making the wrong choice because when you get bullied … you have a choice to either make yourself feel stronger sometimes, not all of the time.”

“I’ve given away my computer now because I cannot do it anymore. I’ve trying to keep track of all the f*****g things that are said. But I can’t do it so whoever’s gonna write and be mean, go ahead I’m not going to read it.“

Apple continued:

“But Perez Hilton, I should have never have seen this. But to hire “experts” to comment and say that I am sick is totally, totally irresponsible and dangerous and you should know better, and so should everybody who’s talking about me like that … And I’m not on any other drugs. I had some bourbon before I came out here. I’ve always been honest, why would I be dishonest about anything?”

Seemingly resigned to the lowest common denominator element of gossip media, the singer told the audience:

“I realize it’s ridiculous and hopeless for me to ask this, but Perez Hilton, TMZ whoever you represent … I’m not invulnerable to this stuff. I’ve been around for many years. But it hurts. I spent all yesterday, I don’t need to hear that I’m 90-years-old, just because I didn’t have a facelift in the last seven years when you saw me.”

On September 20, Apple’s tour bus was searched at a Texas border stop in Sierra Blanca during a routine check by police and border officials. The singer was subsequently booked on a drug misdemeanor charge at Hudspeth County Jail after “freely admitting” that weed and hashish found in a backpack belonged to her.

Eventually released from jail on a $10,000 bond, a grim mugshot of Apple was splashed all over the internet following news of her arrest. Further fuel was added to the fire when Apple alleged “ inappropriate and probably illegal” police treatment was meted out to her at the jail.

Tabloid reports on TMZ and other outlets lampooning the singer’s appearance followed. Further allegations about Apple’s alleged prolonged drug use and deteriorating physical and mental health were also reported on Hilton’s website.

So does Apple have a point? Is TMZ and Hilton’s pile on unnecessary, even bullying? Sound off in comments below.