Adam Hyde, the 35-year-old musician and boyfriend of reality television personality Abbie Chatfield, has publicly disclosed the disturbing and bizarre harassment he has recently endured. The Peking Duk frontman, who also performs under the stage name Keli Holiday, opened up about two separate, frightening incidents during an emotional conversation on Chatfield's It's A Lot podcast.
Violent Threats in Sydney's Streets
Hyde described reaching a breaking point, feeling compelled to address the situation after experiencing direct threats to his safety. "I mean, it's kind of hit a boiling point now where I feel the need to address it," he told his partner. "Twice in the last week and a half, I've been threatened with violence in real life, like in the street."
Early Morning Confrontation
The first alarming event occurred near their home in Sydney's eastern suburbs approximately a week and a half prior. Hyde was walking alone early in the morning when a car passed him. "One car came past and I kind of just heard yelling and there was screaming. Homophobic slurs, really bad words mixed with death threats [and] bashing threats," he recounted. The abuse escalated when a second vehicle joined in, with occupants screaming violent intentions. Hyde recalled the attackers using derogatory language, including calling him a "cuck" and specifically targeting his stage identity.
Petrol Station Harassment
A second incident took place on Saturday, January 24th, ahead of the Hottest 100 countdown where his track Dancing2 placed second. While refuelling his car at a prominent spot on Bondi Road, a fan approached him for a photograph. Simultaneously, another vehicle pulled up, and its occupants began shouting homophobic slurs and threats. "And he's like, 'You! You!' and then another dude in the car behind goes, 'We're gonna bash ya!'" Hyde described the moment as "gnarly", leaving him feeling profoundly upset and questioning the motives behind such hatred.
Online Hate Spilling Into Real Life
Both Hyde and Chatfield revealed that they constantly receive death threats, some even including their home address, blurring the line between online vitriol and real-world danger. "That's not a f***ing joke. That's serious shit," Hyde emphasised, expressing his fury and concern. Chatfield added her perspective, noting how such behaviour appears to be becoming normalised. "I knew these men would be emboldened in their weirdness," she stated. "It is becoming normalised and glamourised. They use violent rhetoric online to try to harass and abuse people that they see as diverging from what they see as the norm."
Hyde expressed bewilderment and sadness at the attacks, which seem solely motivated by his relationship. "A few words online then leads to this? For what? Because I love my girlfriend," he questioned. "Honestly, tell me why you got hate for me. Give me one good reason. It doesn't make any sense." The couple's candid discussion highlights the severe and unsettling consequences of targeted online harassment manifesting as physical intimidation and threats.
