Yungblud Backed by SZA, Scott Ian & More After Post About ‘Industry Plant’ Accusations

Yungblud has received support from fellow musicians and celebrities after sharing an emotional post about online criticism, industry skepticism and accusations that he is an “industry plant.”

The British artist, born Dominic Harrison, opened up on social media after headlining Bludfest in Králové, Czechia, where he became visibly emotional onstage in front of thousands of fans. In a lengthy caption, he said he debated whether to share the clip because he did not want the moment to seem performative, but ultimately decided to post it because “this is what happened and it’s genuine.”

“To be truthful. Recently, I’ve been really struggling,” Yungblud wrote, adding that after leaving the stage feeling elated, he later had “a breakdown” alone in the shower.

He went on to describe the difficulty of processing major career moments in an era where artists are expected to move quickly from one milestone to the next. “Being an artist in this day and age is so strange because everything moves so quickly,” he wrote.

Yungblud also addressed the criticism that has followed him throughout his rise, writing that “the amount of hate and disbelief” from strangers online and “bitter musicians” had weighed on him. He said all he had tried to do over the past decade was “spread love, build something I believe in and unify people in a safe space.”

The rocker also referenced a recent Blunt Magazine article that pushed back on the “industry plant” discourse surrounding him, writing that he felt validated by the piece.

The post drew supportive messages from across the rock and entertainment worlds. Slayer and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt rejected the “industry plant” label in the comments, writing that an industry plant “cannot do what you did at Back to the Beginning,” referring to Yungblud’s performance at last year’s Black Sabbath-linked event.

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian also praised Yungblud’s performance of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” at Back to the Beginning, writing that he watched from the side of the stage as Yungblud “elevated” the song.

SZA offered a brief message of support, writing, “Rooting for you,” while actors Alyssa Milano and Charisma Carpenter were also among those responding. Milano praised Yungblud for allowing fans into his heart, while Carpenter said the post made her want to discover his music.

The moment comes on the back of a genuinely significant run for the artist born Dominic Harrison. His 2025 double album Idols debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard 200, while his collaborative EP with Aerosmith, One More Time, released in November, reached the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Rock & Alternative Albums chart, marking his first U.S. top 10.