Joss Stone branded ‘out of touch’ following GMB interview from home in Bahamas: ‘Everyone has a choice to be happy’

An appearance by Joss Stone on Good Morning Britain left viewers frustrated, with many calling her “out of touch” for her comments in the wake of the pandemic.

The British singer appeared via a live link from her house in the Caribbean, where she lives, where she told presenters Sean Fletcher and Charlotte Hawkins that “everyone has a choice” when it comes to being happy.

Stone, who was promoting a new podcast called A Cuppa Happy, suggested that “unless we’re enslaved or in prison”, we should choose to have a positive outlook on life.

“We have a lot of opportunity to be happy and we don’t always take it,” the soul singer said.

“Every person I’ve spoken to so far has flagged that we have choice, and I don’t think everybody truly feels that way – I think some people genuinely feel that they don’t have it.”

She continued: “We do have choice in mostly every direction, unless we’re enslaved and someone’s taken that choice away from you, or you’re in prison and you don’t have a choice to walk outside. But, mentally, we have little choices that we make as we walk along in this life, and that is for every single person. That’s comforting, really. It’s very freeing.”

While some acknowledged that her words were “well-intentioned”, many criticised her for making things sound so simple – especially considering she has avoided the financial problems many UK citizens have endured during the coronavirus pandemic.

Stone also referred to the furlough scheme as “really great”, adding: “Didn’t Boris [Johnson] do something? He gave loads of money to the arts in the UK? Something huge for the arts – I heard about it.

“I was like, ‘Oh my God, another little gem that’s happened to our little nation! We’re so bloody lucky.”

The Twitter reactions weren’t so positive about Stone’s appearance.

“Joss Stone is currently on @GMB telling people how no matter what’s going on in your life, you should be happy!” one person wrote, adding: ”The multimillionaire singer joined them on a video call smiling from ear to ear from her home in the Bahamas.”

Another added: “Joss Stone on @GMB from her home pontificating on how lucky everyone in UK is and how Boris has saved the arts!?! Please make her stop.”

In response to her comment that “everyone has a choice” to be happy, one Twitter user wrote: “Suppose you do if you’re sitting in the Bahamas with millions in the bank. But get real Joss, a lot of people are struggling to keep a roof over their heads or worrying how to feed their kids.”

Stone recently participated in a charity single – a cover of the hit song “Lean On Me” – to raise money for the NHS.

The shows she was scheduled to perform this year have been delayed until 2021.

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