Sky Ferreira has spoken out about gaslighting in the industry in a brave new Instagram post.

The American singer, songwriter and actress took to Instagram to share her disappointment in the music industry, in a move which seems to be a response to the recent news that Taylor Swift’s music catalogue now belongs to a man she has accused of “manipulative bullying” thanks to a contract she signed as a teenager.

In the extensive post, which appeared on Ferreira’s Instagram story, she details her experiences as a young woman in the industry, and warns other young people about the consequences of signing contracts – which she says are often framed to take advantage of artists and their work. 

“I signed contracts when I was 15 and I’m still paying the consequences for it,” Ferreira began. “Every contract I have ever signed has always been set up to take advantage of me/my work in some way.”

“Do not let people pressure you into giving away your rights or settle for less when it comes to your future and work. Insisting on your rights, value and ownership doesn’t make you difficult.”

She continues: “The entertainment industry is filled with underqualified bullies and morons with way too much power for their own good. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise, if they do it’s most likely for their convenience. Look out for yourself and your future. Do not let people pressure you into giving away your rights or settle for less when it comes to your future and work.”

Ferreira also went on to talk about mental abuse in the industry as a result of executives having too much power over artists - something she says she has experienced many times throughout her career.

“I have been mentally abused countless times,” she wrote. “ Gaslighting is a go-to tactic. Suffering isn’t currency for having the opportunity to do what you love for a living. The moment something becomes inconvenient, not a single soul will be in sight to actually fix it, especially when people have their own agendas and ego.

“You have to do it for yourself,” she added. “Don’t allow yourself to be bled dry. Don’t let anyone convince you that you aren’t supposed to own or control your own work or not get paid properly. You don’t have to give the blind eye because others choose to. Respect yourself.”

Although she doesn’t explicitly mention Swift’s situation, Ferreira’s experience mirrors Swift’s revelation of the “incessant, manipulative bullying” she says she has received at the hands of music executive Scooter Braun – especially the fact that both artists talk about signing contracts when they were young that effectively gave away the rights to their work.

Ferreira is not the only artist who has spoken out in support of Swift – Halsey, Iggy Azalea and even Cher have sent Swift messages of support.

And despite the fact that Justin Bieber took to Instagram to speak up in support of Scooter Braun – a move which has lead to him receiving significant backlash – Cara Delevingne used the comments section of his post to fight back in defence of Swift. 

In a now deleted comment, Delevingne wrote: “I wish you spent less time sticking up for men and more time trying to understand women and respecting their valid reactions. As a married man, you should be lifting women up instead of tearing them down because you are threatened.

“I am not sure you actually understand what an apology is,” she continued. “Take a step back and try and learn from this. We should all be on the same team. End of story.”

This is not the first time the impact of gender inequality in the music industry has been called into question. Data from 2019’s Gender Pay Gap reports reveal the inequalities at the top of the UK’s three major music companies; at Universal, 73% of employees in the top pay quartile were male.

Images: Getty