Abbie Chatfield and Adam Hyde Speak Out on Disturbing Public Abuse and Violent Threats
In a raw and emotional revelation, media personality Abbie Chatfield and her musician partner, Adam Hyde, have detailed the shocking abuse and violent threats they have endured both in public and online. The couple shared their harrowing experiences during a recent episode of Chatfield's popular podcast, It's a Lot with Abbie Chatfield, shedding light on a series of alarming incidents that have left them feeling vulnerable and distressed.
Confronting Incidents of Public Harassment
Adam Hyde, known for his work with the dance duo Peking Duk and under the alias Keli Holiday, described how a recent morning walk turned into a terrifying ordeal. "I was just walking down the street around 7:30am when a car drove past, and I heard yelling," Hyde recounted. "They were screaming homophobic slurs mixed with death threats and bashing threats." He expressed initial confusion, looking around to find he was the only person on the street, only for another car to follow with similar abuse.
Hyde detailed the verbal assault, stating, "A convoy of incels were like, 'We're gonna f***ing kill you, bro.' They used really gnarly words I don't want to repeat, calling me a 'cuck' and targeting my identity as Keli Holiday." This incident marked the second time in just over a week that Hyde faced such public harassment, highlighting a disturbing pattern of behaviour.
Abuse on a Day of Celebration
The abuse escalated on January 24, a day that should have been celebratory for Hyde after he secured the second spot in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2025 with his song Man I Need, following Olivia Dean's win. "I went to fill up my car at a petrol station on Bondi Road, a very visible spot," Hyde explained. After a fan approached for a photo, the situation quickly turned hostile.
"An older woman was filling her car next to me when I heard a dude screaming out the F slur, a homophobic term," Hyde said. "A car filled with young boys had their phones out, and one shouted, 'We're gonna bash ya!'" The incident left Hyde feeling deeply affected, questioning the motives behind such hatred. "It left me feeling really pissed off but more so just sad. How has this come to this? For what? Because I love my girlfriend?"
A Broader Issue of Misogyny and Hate
Abbie Chatfield emphasised that this conversation extends beyond their personal experiences, pointing to a "noticeable shift in the acceptance of misogyny in Australia." In an Instagram post, she reflected on the underlying causes, stating, "Adam's increased presence in the media has hit a sore spot for groups of sad, hateful, sexist men who feel threatened by kindness. They also hate me and want to punish anyone around me for daring to love me."
The couple, who have been dating since January 2024 after meeting in 2022 during an interview on Chatfield's radio show, are using their platform to raise awareness about the real-world consequences of online hate and public harassment. Their candid discussion underscores the emotional toll of such abuse and calls for greater accountability and change in societal attitudes.
