Again, when you polarize people you have people on both sides.

— Pete Wentz
“Interview: Fall Out Boy (Pete Wentz)”
April 2006 ABSOLUTEPUNK

Why It’s Moronic

Easy: Think before you speak. We all know there’s no accounting for taste, especially when it comes to music, so why would I pick on a successful rockstar?

Well, a lot of this particular interview focuses on the singer’s fervent disinterest in “being a sellout” or “marketing.” There are claims about all of the things he’s declined doing because he doesn’t believe in them. He also states that he won’t ever change and become big-headed.

Fast-forward a bit: Mr. Fall Out Boy recently started aggressively marketing himself as a model, launched a clothing line, and even stooped as low as ice-skater Tara Lipinski by guest-starring on a WB/CW show. His role on an episode of One Tree Hill was decidedly un-punk and hard to watch:
• Pete’s stiff “acting” consisted of little more than giggling/smiling, kissing, and half-assedly delivering very lispy banter... not that the writing was great.
• He conveniently wore a hoodie from his line, Clandestine—so much for that snub to “marketing.”
• Playing himself, Pete got involved with a high-school student; they slept in the same bed. There wasn’t actual sex, but isn’t it at least inappropriate? There was no address of his real-life relationship, either, which made no sense when he was playing himself.

Check out a montage of Pete’s screen-time in the OTH episode at YouTube. As you watch, keep in mind that Pete really wants to be a model. I’m all for breaking stereotypes, but he’s staggeringly short (bordering on midgetry) and has strange proportions and bad posture. (If you want to become depressed, also keep in mind that over 3,000 people have saved it as a favorite; hopefully, they’re being ironic.)