Cutest date on the red carpet.
Award show red carpets are a time for everybody to show off their look, but it’s also a time for artists to show off their hot dates.
Just a couple years ago, Lainey Wilson set the world on fire when she revealed her relationship with former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Duck Hodges for the first time by walking the red carpet with him at the ACM Awards. And at this year’s ceremony, Zach Top walked the red carpet with his new girlfriend Amelia Taylor for the first time.
But it was Jessie Murph’s date that had everybody talking before the show on Thursday.
Koe Wetzel’s “High Road” duet partner and the nominee for New Female Artist of the Year chose to bring her pet pig Wilbur with her as she posed for photographs and gave interviews ahead of the show.
And it seems like Wilbur was a big hit, with all of her fellow artists stopping to greet the pig and ask questions about her date.
@jessiemurphhq the girls and Wilbur❤️🩹
But on social media, it seems like a lot of people weren’t a fan.
Many took to the comments on Jessie’s Instagram post showing off her red carpet date, as well as other videos of the two, to criticize the singer for bringing her pig to such a stressful environment for the animal:
“Let’s ignore the fact that you can see the piglet’s legs trembling”
“Why bring a sweet animal to an opening where it’s loud and over stimulating? No hate just a question”
“Poor piglet was shaking so badly. No wonder you didn’t share video. Animals aren’t props. Do better.”
“Absolutely disgusting! I saw the video of the pig being so distressed. He is not an accessory”
“Pig looks terrified – why bring him into that environment?”
“The pig was shaking the entire time, do better. Animals aren’t accessories.”
“He’s shaking. Pigs aren’t supposed to be on display like this. This is so wrong”
“That poor pig is trembling. Look at his legs. Animals aren’t handbags.”
“Animals are NOT accessories, I believe her intentions were pure but this should not have been allowed”
“I’m a JM fan but this animal is terrified and deserves better. I’m mortified”
“I’m a pig owner. That pig is so stressed and scared this isn’t cute.”
“Why in the world would she bring a pig there, Thats literally animal abuse. Poor Wilbur”
“I love Jessie, but she should know that pig isn’t gonna thrive in that type of environment. It’s clearly scared”
Of course I think the reaction’s a little overblown. That pig is clearly very well taken care of, and no doubt has an amazing life. And Wilbur may have been shaking but he actually seemed pretty calm in the photos and videos that I’ve seen. No squealing, no trying to run away, just chillin’ in mama’s arms and being the center of attention.
Pigs are also used as show animals, and let’s not forget that most pigs end up getting slaughtered and eaten – a fate that Wilbur will escape thanks to its new owner.
Seems like Wilbur is just living the dream, but of course people are going to have to find something to get upset about.
