Grammy Nominee Shames Singers for Ignoring Iranian Protesters
Five for Fighting asks simple question that exposes music's cultural rot
John Ondrasik hasn’t won a Grammy … yet.
The Five for Fighting singer came close with “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” a song that evolved into more than just a Billboard smash over time. “Superman” became part of America’s enduring spirit following the Sept. 11 attacks.
Decades later, we rallied behind the song anew following the Oct. 7 atrocities in Israel.
So Ondrasik knows a thing or two about both music and culture. It’s why he decided to weigh in on Sunday’s Grammy awards, a night replete with ugly, persistent attacks on ICE agents.
Bad Bunny says “ICE OUT” at the #Grammys and receives a massive standing ovation:
“We are not savage, we are not animals, we are not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans. The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.… pic.twitter.com/IFzvguqdCR
— Variety (@Variety) February 2, 2026
Ondrasik didn’t criticize the stars smiting ICE agents. He simply wondered why another massive cause got ignored by the celebrity elites.
“For all of you who claim to be on the front foot of social justice, human rights, freedom, all good things. Not one of you, not one of you, mentioned, recognized, saluted, prayed for, shouted out for the 30-40,000 Iranian protesters who have been massacred in the last two weeks,” Ondrasik said in an X video posted this morning.
“Not one of you. Not one of you. Why is that?”
? For my #GRAMMYs fam pic.twitter.com/4n7l9C4Cnq
— John Ondrasik (@johnondrasik) February 2, 2026
The creative industry has been virtually silent on the Iranian people being slaughtered by their own government. No teary-eyed monologues from Jimmy Kimmel. No pins at awards shows like the Grammys saluting the heroism of the Iranian people.
No mentions from the awards show stages of how cruel the Iranian regime is, and why President Donald Trump’s support for the rebels could help overthrow the tyrannical regime.
Nothing.
It’s hardly an isolated incident. Musicians were shockingly mum following the sexual depravity of the Oct. 7 attacks. When Jews across the country faced a shocking rise in hate following that awful day, most singers couldn’t spare a syllable in their defense.
And, for the past decade, most stars couldn’t speak out against the systemic attacks on speech.
- The Twitter Files
- Sensitivity readers
- Scary Poppins
- Biden’s cyber censorship
Unlike many political artists, Ondrasik is measured, not hyperbolic. His takes are room temperature cool and thoughtful. His video gives credit to his fellow artists for the amazing work they produce.
He knows how hard it is to rise to the top of the music industry. Personally.
The singer/songwriter isn’t here to name call, just ask tough questions that deserve answers.
He’s gently admonishing his fellow musicians for their extreme hypocrisy, and he has the facts on his side. Sadly, his gentlemanly activism is the exception to the celebrity rule.