Moby has revealed he’s set to embark upon a self-imposed exile of sorts following the backlash from some of the stories shared in his recent memoirs.
Over the last couple of weeks, there has been plenty said about the iconic electronic musician Moby. Celebrating 20 years since his worldwide smash Play on May 17th, the musician also released his new memoir Then It Fell Apart, whose title has become somewhat prophetic in recent times.
While it details a number of events in his life you’ve likely heard of, it also included some previously unheard tales, including a romance with a pre-fame Lana Del Rey, and the questionable story of rubbing his genitals on Donald Trump.
Interestingly, it also included a tale of how he supposedly dated actress Natalie Portman, describing himself as a “bald binge drinker” who was stunned to see “a beautiful movie star” like Portman “flirting” with him.
While Moby’s interesting life certainly wouldn’t make many people question claims he did in fact date Portman, the actress herself soon hit back at the musician, noting the memoir included “factual errors and inventions.”
Check out ‘Run On’ by Moby:
“I was surprised to hear that he characterised the very short time that I knew him as dating because my recollection is a much older man being creepy with me when I just had graduated high school,” Portman explained to Harper’s Bazaar.
“He said I was 20; I definitely wasn’t. I was a teenager. I had just turned 18. There was no fact checking from him or his publisher – it almost feels deliberate,” she added. “That he used this story to sell his book was very disturbing to me. It wasn’t the case.”
While Moby later published a since-deleted Instagram post disputing Natalie Portman’s denial, he followed it up with another post that saw him offer up an apology to the actress.
“I tried to treat everyone I included in Then It Fell Apart with dignity and respect, but nonetheless it was truly inconsiderate for me to not let them know before the book was released,” Moby wrote.
“So for that I apologize, to Natalie, as well as the other people I wrote about in Then It Fell Apart without telling them beforehand,” he concluded. “Also I accept that given the dynamic of our almost 14 year age difference I absolutely should’ve acted more responsibly and respectfully when Natalie and I first met almost 20 years ago.”
Now, it appears that his comments in the book have seen the artist feel the need to take a bit of a step back, confirming the cancellation of a book tour, and announcing he is “going to go away for a while”.
While Moby was scheduled to embark on a run of UK dates for his book tour, the musician’s website has since been updated to note that he is “canceling all upcoming public appearances for the foreseeable future,” with no specific reason being given.
Taking to Instagram though, Moby shared what he said would be his “last post”, and explaining that he won’t be around much for a while.
“Before I [go away] I want to apologize again, and to say clearly that all of this has been my own fault,” he wrote.
“I am the one who released the book without showing it to the people I wrote about. I’m the one who posted defensively and arrogantly. I’m the one who behaved inconsiderately and disrespectfully, both in 2019 and in 1999.”
“There is obviously no one else to blame but me,” he concluded. “Thank you, and I’m sorry.”
While Natalie Portman hasn’t responded to Moby’s apology, it remains to be seen how long the musician’s self-imposed absence will last, and whether this relates solely to social media presence, or if he’ll be taking a break from music as well.
Check out ‘Natural Blues’ by Moby:
