How Róisín Murphy became the most vilified female celebrity since J.K. Rowling

The specific words that got Róisín Murphy cancelled are just about the only thing both sides of the ensuing culture war can agree upon.

Those words were written at approximately 6.47pm on August 23, 2023 — just a fortnight before the release of the Irish singer-songwriter’s new album, Hit Parade — when she responded to a Facebook thread from her private account. “Please don’t call me a terf, please don’t keep using that word against women,” Murphy, 50, wrote next to three prayer hands emojis. “I beg you! but puberty blockers ARE F***ED, absolutely desolate, big Pharma laughing all the way to the bank. Little mixed up kids are vulnerable and need to be protected, that’s just true.”