Troye Sivan went into damage control mode Saturday after fans called him out for choosing Kim Petras as one of the opening acts on his upcoming Bloomtour.
The decision to showcase Petras – a 25-year-old transgender singer from Germany – is controversial due to her support of producer Dr. Luke, who was accused of sexual assault by Kesha. (Dr. Luke has denied the allegations and countered with a defamation lawsuit.)
In February, Petras told Interviewmagazine: “He’s been really great and supportive to me and I’ve been learning a lot from him. He’s been a really nice person and I wasn’t there when that whole thing [with Kesha] went down, but from my experience he’s a great guy and I’ve been having a good time working with him.”
Sivan took to Twitter to respond to criticism about his choice. “Guys, I hear you,” he said, in a statement. “I was not aware of some of the comments Kim has made in the past. That was my mistake. I since have read them and was troubled by them, like you.”
MORE: Troye Sivan Announces Bloom Tour
The pop singer said he spoke to Petras after she tweeted a statement in which she said: “While I’ve been open and honest about my positive experience with Dr. Luke, that does not negate or dismiss the experience of others or suggest that multiple perspectives cannot exist at once. I didn’t communicate this clearly in the past.
“I want to say that I’m sorry to anyone that I upset … I do want to express my sympathy for any and all abuse victims.”
Sivan said he believes Petras is “growing and changing” and that her statement was “genuine [and] apologetic.”
He added: “I want to treat Kim the same way I’d like to be treated when my inevitable big mess comes up.”
Sivan said Petras will remain on the Bloomtourand that a portion of proceeds will be donated to RAINN, an anti-sexual violence organization.
The tour stops at Place Bell in Laval, QC on Oct. 11, the Sony Centre in Toronto on Oct. 15, and Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Nov. 8.
Read the full statements of Petras and Sivan below:
— Kim Petras (@kimpetras) June 1, 2018
— troye sivan (@troyesivan) June 3, 2018