How Gabi DeMartino Rises Above the Toxicity That Inspired Her New Song ‘Immaculate’
Gabi DeMartino, best known for being one half of the YouTube twins duo Niki and Gabi, has been internet famous for almost a decade now, and that has definitely come with both its upsides and downsides.
While being a household name comes with incredible opportunities, it's also opened Gabi up to some incredibly toxic behavior and bullying from strangers on the internet. Some pretty horrible abuse has been slung her way, but only recently has she learned how to not take it to heart. The experience was also the inspiration behind her new single, "Immaculate," out today, Oct. 27.
We got the opportunity to ask Gabi all about the song's origins, and her advice for dealing with haters. Keep reading to find out what she had to say.
Sweety High: What was the creative and recording process behind "Immaculate"?
Gabi DeMartino: This summer, I was having a pretty stressful day and decided to go relax in the pool and write a song on my Notes app. The pressure to be perfect as an influencer, artist and public figure is not something anyone signs up for, because we're all human and perfection doesn't exist. The perfection standard does not exist anywhere. This song was originally called "Perfection" until a subscriber commented on one of my YouTube videos that I am "Immaculate."
SH: What does the song mean to you? Was it inspired by your real-life experiences?
GD: This song means so much to me because I'm very passionate about standing up against any bully in this world whose intention is to make life harder for people. With the pandemic and the increase in social media and digital usage, there's definitely been a whole new level of online bullying.
SH: Do you have any advice for anyone who's feeling like others keep judging them and focusing on their imperfections?
GD: My advice is that you need to keep looking forward and don't let the opinions of others validate you. I know it sounds cliché, but as soon as I put blinders on the sides of my eyes and only looked forward, I saw progress in my mental health. At the end of the day, if people are going to judge you and attack your life with your own humanity, it's only revealing what type of human they are.
SH: Why do you feel like people have such high expectations for others, and tear them down for just being human?
GD: I think people seek opportunity in the downfall of another human doing better than them, or someone they've been wanting to see fall. This trend of cancel culture is satisfying those who have been wanting the worst for others. At the end of the day, I do believe the majority of cyberbullies are aware they can be reaching for attention and don't actually have high expectations, but consequentially, the conformed opinions and hate trains hold it to that standard publicly. Because they are also human, a lot of these people remain anonymous for that very reason.
SH: How have situations like the one described in the song impacted your mental health? How do you rise above it?
GD: My mental health had been slowly declining throughout the decade of my online career—specifically, the last two years in the start of the pandemic. Thousands of people have urged me to end my life, which is really hard to talk about. When you're passionate about what you do though, it makes it easier to focus on that. Anyone has the ability to do or say something wrong, but it shouldn't end your life. My advice is to stay positive and focus on the little joys that life brings you every day, even if it's as minuscule as the grass on your feet.
SH: Do you have a favorite lyric from the track?
GD: "They take sh** and shape it like confection, perfectly frosted."
SH: Where did the fairytale castle theme of the music video come from? Why did that feel perfect for this track?
GD: I shot my music video at the Chrismark castle because not only does this song sound a bit dark, but the castle is large and extravagant, symbolizing the very place I've gotten lost in before (the internet and my social media).
SH: What was your favorite moment from filming the music video?
GD: My favorite moment filming this music video was working with fancy babies! They all played the "rumors" and "haters" sitting at the table.
SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
GD: Stay strong and know you're worth it no matter what.
Love discovering the stories behind your favorite songs? Click HERE to read our interview with American Idol alum Benson Boone on his debut single, "Ghost Town."