Suicide Victim's Father Rips '13 Reasons Why' Producers: 'Selena Gomez Is Disgusting'
Jan. 4 2019, Updated 10:17 a.m. ET
One heartbroken father says he is more mad than ever before at Selena Gomez and Netflix for failing to recognize the dangers of 13 Reasons Why, RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned.
Given the back-to-back suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, John Herndon, of Livermore, Calif., told RadarOnline.com he is angry 13 Reasons Why – produced by the pop star and her mom, Mandy Teefey – is still on the air.
"I'm actually a lot more mad than I was," Herndon told RadarOnline.com. "They're starting to brainwash people. They make all encompassing statements like, 'Everyone loves this show.' But suicide strikes all different kinds of people."
Teefey, 42, recently told THINK that she refuses to apologize for her role in producing a show about suicide. Gomez's mom told the outlet she believes she's "creating a tool" for kids and parents to talk about bullying. Herndon said the interview felt like a slap in the face.
"I think it just goes to show how negligent the company was because they very specifically targeted kids," Herndon said. "It's asinine beyond belief. They're looking to make a profit off of the misery of others."
Herndon and his wife, Donna, discovered their 15-year-old daughter, Bella, hung in her closet on April 18, 2017. The teenager was rushed to the hospital and died 10 days later. After Bella's death, the parents learned she had watched the Netflix series.
The angry father believes Gomez has failed to use her platform in a positive way when it comes to suicide.
"Selena's behavior is disgusting and despicable," said Herndon. "She has been given the ability to create something that she herself does not understand and never will. I'm disgusted by her mother, too."
Herndon said Netflix is just as much to blame. He believes this show has done the opposite of the network's claims that it was to bring awareness to the dangers of suicide.
"They should be indicted for their lack of responsibility, the self-enrichment they've gotten from this," said Herndon. "This was not a public service message. This was put in a for-profit manner. It was done to capitalize the hurt of others. There's nothing redeeming about that at all."
As RadarOnline.com readers know, earlier this year Netflix added an anti-suicide warning at the start of each new season after the show received much criticism for glamorizing suicide. At the time, Herndon told RadarOnline.com he believed it was "too late" for a warning.
What do you think of the angry father's argument against Gomez? Let us know in the comments.
If you or someone you know is in an emotional distress or suicidal, please call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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