In a surprising move, the chart-topping artist steps back from social media to protect her mental health

Doja Cat, the renowned musician behind hits like “Say So” and “Kiss Me More,” has taken a drastic step by deactivating her Instagram account. The 28-year-old artist, whose real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, expressed that the platform had become a source of distress, prompting her decision to step back.

In recent months, Doja Cat faced a barrage of criticism on social media. In July 2023, she lost over 400,000 followers after a candid post addressing her fans, which did not sit well with many. The backlash continued with her song “Wet Vagina” from her fourth studio album “Scarlet,” released in September 2023, where she referred to the Kardashians as ‘plastic.’ The situation escalated when she posted a controversial image of herself wearing a t-shirt featuring an alleged neo-Nazi figure.

The cumulative effect of these incidents led Doja Cat to reevaluate her presence on Instagram. In a heartfelt message to her followers, now deleted, she conveyed her decision to deactivate her account. “Hey, I’m gonna deactivate because I’m not really feeling this anymore. You guys take care of yourselves,” she wrote. “I like coming here to find inspiration and see people being creative, but I just feel like this is getting to be too much. The way I’m spoken to on here and treated makes me have f**ked up thoughts. Please watch how you talk to and about people on the internet. Bye.”

Fans of the rapper have rallied in support on X (formerly Twitter), expressing their concern for her well-being and respecting her choice to prioritize her mental health. The outpouring of love underscores the importance of maintaining a respectful and kind environment on social media platforms.

Doja Cat’s departure from Instagram serves as a stark reminder of the impact that online interactions can have on individuals, especially those in the public eye. It’s a call to action for everyone to foster a more positive and empathetic online community.