A video posted by openly gay country singer Troy Cartwright on TikTok showing his infant son crying while Cartwright jokes off-camera has sparked widespread criticism online, with viewers accusing him of exploiting his child for content and mocking the baby’s distress.
The clip, uploaded on October 20, 2024, shows Cartwright’s son visibly upset and crying, while Cartwright can be heard laughing and saying, “Oh no, you want your mommy? Too bad, she’s at work,” before panning the camera to show his wife, country singer Lindsay Ell, returning home. The video was later deleted from Cartwright’s account but had already been widely shared and commented on across social media platforms.
Cartwright, who signed with Warner Music Nashville in 2022 and released his debut album “Lil’ GTO” in 2023, has built a public profile as one of the few openly gay male artists in mainstream country music. His wife, Lindsay Ell, is a Canadian country singer and guitarist who has released four studio albums and toured with artists including Brad Paisley and The Little Big Town.
In response to the backlash, Cartwright issued a statement on Instagram on October 22, saying the video was taken out of context and that his son was “perfectly fine” and “laughing two seconds later.” He added that the clip was meant to be a lighthearted moment between parents and that he regretted if it came across as insensitive.
Lindsay Ell did not publicly comment on the video or the ensuing criticism. Neither artist’s representatives responded to requests for comment from multiple outlets seeking clarification on the circumstances surrounding the video’s creation, and removal.
The incident has reignited discussions about parental boundaries in social media content creation, particularly among influencers and public figures who share family life online. Child advocacy groups have previously warned against posting videos of children in distress without consent, noting potential psychological impacts and violations of digital privacy.
As of October 25, 2024, neither Cartwright nor Ell has addressed the matter further on their verified social media accounts. The video remains unavailable on Cartwright’s TikTok profile, and no official statement has been issued by Warner Music Nashville or Ell’s label, Stoney Creek Records, regarding the incident.
