Summertime Blues

Authors Note: Important

It came to my attention this morning that Benji Krol, the faceclaim I've been using for Billy, has had some pretty serious allegations being put up against him. I won't go into detail, but they will come up with a single Google or YouTube search of his name. Hes confessed to and denied some of them already. Again, they're very serious allegations that I was shocked to see put up against him, as a fan of his, but I won't let that get in the way of the disappointment and disgust I feel. I wish it wasn't true, but it is.

As a result, I'm going through the process of getting a new faceclaim for my Billy Boy. This is really difficult since I've always pictured Benji as Billy, ever since I created him. I was considering Noah Schnapp, but there's a scandal with him going on and I wouldn't feel right ignoring that. I want the faceclaims of my characters to be unproblematic people who haven't caused or put themselves into scandals. I understand Billie Eilish, Skyes faceclaim, had a racism scandal, but I believe those clips were taken completely out of proportion and were the result of immaturity. The situation with Benji is far more serious than 12 year old Billie lip syncing something dumb on Vine.

I'm deeply shocked, ashamed and disappointed about this. I felt a responsibility to speak up about this as an author who involved him in my book. I wouldn't feel right keeping the same faceclaim, even if it means changing my entire image of one of my favourite characters I've ever written. At the minute, the two people I have in mind for the new faceclaim are Conan Gray and Jimin from BTS, two very nice boys, but I'll have to do more consideration. I'm sorry if this will cause confusion, but I'd never change a faceclaim otherwise. This is what I feel is right.

I hope you understand. I'm saddened by all this, but it will teach me that people aren't always what they seem. If you have any suggestions for a new faceclaim, feel free to comment them.