Jack White has issued the following statement to correct an excerpt from his upcoming cover story in British Esquire that was taken completely out of context–and actually edited to change its original meaning–in an NME.com news post.

The original quote referred to the state of image-based celebrity in general was twisted by the NME who changed the original quote, tacking the words “Lady Gaga’s music” on to the original quote–words Jack never actually said.

White commented in full:

I’d like to address the recent tabloidesque drama baiting by the press in regards to Lady Gaga. I never said anything about her music, or questioned the authenticity of her songs in any way. I was in a conversation about the drawbacks of image for the sake of image, and that it is popular nowadays to not question an image in front of you, but only to label it as “cool” or “weird” quickly and dispose of it.  I don’t like my comments about Lady Gaga’s presentation being changed into some sort of negative critique of her music.  If you’re going to try to cause drama, at least get the quotes right.  I think journalists should also be held accountable for what they say.  Especially publications like the NME who put whatever words they feel like between two quotation marks and play it off as a quote.  maybe somebody with more lawyers can take them to task, but I’ll just use the internet and twitter instead.   I also think that kind of tabloid drama encourages artists to not express their opinions in the press, and instead give polite soundbites that don’t stimulate thought about creativity and the consumption of art in its many guises. Peace to lady gaga and I fully congratulate and compliment her on her championing of gay rights issues and the momentum it’s given to help create change.

Thank you.

Jack White III