DoubleTalkinComa

@AxlRoseCDII said why; Duff not speaking up when it's in his camp makes him look like a hypocrite. Although it's still too early to make any judgment calls IMO.

Admitting where you f'ed up shows that you have integrity and the ability to change and grow as a person. It may not reverse his reputation as a young man, but pretending like it all never happened doesn't help the man he is today. A LOT of people would commend him and change their views of him for stepping up. Plus it's just the right thing to do. I think when it comes to public apologies by public figures, celebrities have a huge platform, power, and thus have the ability to influence other people, all the time. Just look at Colleen Ballinger or R-Kelly. What celebrities do with their status and influence is very important. Obviously Axl hasn't started some child labor- or sex-cult using his influence. But I still think there is something to be said about the importance of him recognizing that his actions have impacted other people's lives. Including how he (or any celebrity) responds to their own allegations also sets an example to others. And as much as I'm sure he wants to lead a more private life, many of these stories of him abusing others is either already public or will only continue and continue to spread. If he wants to not leave behind a legacy of being an asshole with no remorse, he needs to publicly apologize for his past self.

The whole "I didn't respect women until I had daughters" gives "I'm not racist! I have a friend who is black!" energy.

The top comment w/ over 6k likes on the "Axl Rose SA allegation" r/news thread was "I'd be surprised if he didn't have a sexual assault allegation!" The Reddit thread was filled with "And every 60 seconds a minute passes in Africa"-type comments. This is why his past self is an elephant in the room and part of why I think Axl should/should have addressed his past publicly. Sure, us hardcore GnR fans know that Axl is in a better place mentally and is much kinder and whatnot. But your average Joe still has the "asshole Axl" from the 80s/90s in their head when they think of him.

(I think this is my first ever post but I've lurked the forum for quite a while...) Something just doesn't sit right with me with Axl denying the allegation/not acknowledging his past in general. For one, just because he may not remember this person or any recollection of that happening, doesn't mean it didn't happen. As someone else in this thread pointed out, what could've been a regular Tuesday for him could've been someone's lasting memory and trauma. Especially if he was under the influence of substances, living that "fast 'n hard" rock star lifestyle, etc. I was a school bully to a kid in elementary school several years ago, and I completely forgot about it until very recently. I don't remember a single thing I said to the kid, but I'd bet you he still remembers (I've since reached out to him and apologized). Whether the allegation is real or not (people are saying there are holes in the woman's story), the fact of the matter is Axl has a past of having had intense anger problems, physical abuse including women, the works. I've heard my own story of Axl physically assaulting a woman (back in the 80s/90s) through a friend casually talking to new people she had met in LA. An elephant is in the room that I think Axl should acknowledge and take accountability for- his past anger issues and how that was harming the people around him at the time. Legally-speaking that may not be good for him right now. But morally, just in general, I couldn't sleep at night if I harmed someone but denied it despite the real possibility I just simply didn't remember. Or knowing I've harmed people in my past and didn't give them the acknowledgment and closure from me that they deserve. Or the public knowing of my past reputation and not taking ownership and expressing my genuine remorse.