Photo via Mark Bautista (@iammarkbautista)/ Instagram
Mark Bautista has stepped in to defend Sarah Geronimo amid criticism for changing a lyric in her rendition of Chappell Roan’s song, Good Luck, Babe. Geronimo’s altered version of the line, “you can kiss a hundred boys in bars,” to “you can kiss a hundred girls in bars,” sparked debate online about its impact on the song’s LGBTQ+ message.
Bautista clarified that Geronimo’s decision to modify the lyrics was not unusual. He explained, “Nothing wrong with this. Most singers do this to feel authentic when they do their own version. It has to align with their truth. It’s not to undermine the composer or the original message of the song.”
The change led to mixed reactions. Some fans criticized Geronimo, arguing that the shift moved the song’s focus from its LGBTQ+ themes to a more heterosexual interpretation. One user expressed their disappointment on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Changing a lesbian/LGBTQ+ song lyrics to fit into a heteronormative narrative is just distasteful.” Others supported Geronimo’s creative freedom, saying, “Can someone enlighten me why her gender-swapping the song is such a big deal? It does no harm at all. That’s her own cover and perspective of the song. You don’t have to relate to her cover and just go back to the original song.”
Despite the controversy, Geronimo’s fans continued to stand by her right to interpret the song in her own way. Chappell Roan, who originally wrote Good Luck, Babe, has previously highlighted its themes of love and self-acceptance, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.
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