Joss Stone criticised for telling Good Morning Britain viewers to be happy from her house in the Bahamas
Singer Joss Stone has drawn criticism from Good Morning Britain viewers for failing to acknowledge her "privilege" as she revealed her tips for happiness.
The multi-millionaire was speaking about how to find satisfaction while appearing via videolink from the Bahamas.
“I’ve noticed that we have a lot of opportunity to be happy and we don’t always take it,” the 33-year-old told the ITV breakfast show.
Asked about the secret to happiness amid current health and financial fears, she replied: “I would say choice … Every person I’ve spoken to, so far, (on her A Cuppa Happy podcast) has flagged that we have choice.
“And I don’t think everybody truly feels that way. I think some people genuinely feel that they don’t have it. And that is a total myth.”
Stone added: “If we can accept that we do have choice in mostly every direction unless we’re enslaved … or in prison … Mentally we have little choices that we make as we walk along in this life.
“And that is for every single person. That’s comforting. It’s a nice thought and very freeing.”
The singer then told presenters she had used the furlough scheme for her staff after her gigs were postponed.
“It’s a little bit of a difficult situation but luckily the UK has the furlough scheme so that was great,” she said.
“But that doesn’t work for people that aren’t employed by you all the time, so that worked for people that are always in my employ.
“But my band members, that’s different for them, they’ve lost all that work. So I heard recently that Boris (Johnson) did something, he gave loads of money to the arts in the UK, something huge for the arts!
“I heard that and I was like ‘Oh my God, another little gem that’s happened to our little nation. We’re so b****y lucky!” she said.
Watching Joss Stone on TV talking from Barbados about the arts, the ‘incredible’ recent money package for the arts & how she’s used the furlough scheme for her ‘staff’, it smacks of extreme privilege and extreme ignorance of arts funding in the UK
— Phil Boot (@philipboot)
The Government last month announced a £1.57 billion support package to “protect” the future of Britain’s museums, galleries and theatres. However funds are not due to be released to organisations until October.
Viewers criticised Stone’s comments, pointing out that her success and wealth made it easier for her to "choose" to be happy.
Joss stone in the Bahamas telling us all be happy... love, most of us got bills to pay and no way of paying them..so sorry were not sitting in the Bahamas pretending life is wonderful...we've got real problems #gmb pic.twitter.com/ePb5aiLO4j
— Jasmine (@JasmineToretto7)
Wtf is this on Good Morning Britain...Joss Stone telling us the secret of happiness...from her home in the Bahamas 🤔 pic.twitter.com/202qgpjMF9
— You know me (@undercoverjulie)
Millionaire Joss Stone, sitting in a beautiful house, in the Bahamas preaching happiness. A tad irritating #gmb
— attention thief 😷 (@NoWarning_Sign)
@GMB joss stone it's ok to say everyone has choice when you're in a good financial situation! There are thousands of people who would choose to live in a nice area, buy food and choose not to go to food banks! Choice is a privelage not everyone can afford!
— marie wise (@mer1976)
Joss stone fully deluded about Britain from her massive house in the Bahamas #GMB
— Kaz Lloyd (@KazLloyd1)
One Twitter user commented: “Me and 1000s of others are being made redundant and she’s banging on about choice and being happy!”
Another wrote: “‘We’ have loads of choice Joss because both you and I are financially stable.
“If you are not quite so lucky the choice tends to be foodbank or the bins behind Aldi… It’s not that easy to be happy when you cannot even afford to eat – I know – I’ve been there.”
Others said they found the interview "irritating" and noted that Stone did not discuss her own "privilege," while yet more suggested that having a home in the Bahamas would make finding happiness easier.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
With reporting by Press Association
Read more
Joss Stone deported from Iran on World Tour
Joss Stone praises Learn to Live scheme helping children in war zones
Joss Stone is named Reggae Artist of the Year and Twitter is confused