PR experts have said Newsweek that Dave Grohl’s infidelity announcement will temporarily damage his image, but in the long run he will be fine if he plays his cards right.

The frontman of the rock band Foo Fighters admitted in a statement on September 10 that he had fathered a child outside of his marriage to Jordyn Blum, with whom he has three daughters.

“I recently became a father to a daughter born outside of my marriage,” he wrote on Instagram. “I plan to be a loving and supportive father to her. I love my wife and children and am doing everything I can to regain their trust and earn their forgiveness. We are grateful for your consideration for all of the children involved as we move forward together.”

Fans were overwhelmed by the news, especially since many have often referred to him as “the nicest man in rock.” Newsweek spoke to five PR experts about how this news will affect Grohl’s reputation in the long term.

Newsweek contacted a spokesperson for Grohl via email on Wednesday for comment.

Zoe Mumba is a senior manager of PR and communications at Bitmovin, an Emmy award-winning video streaming company, with over eight years of experience in the industry. She explained that Grohl’s decades-long marriage enhanced his public image by giving him the impression of a family man. According to Mumba, the news that Grohl has been unfaithful to his wife and has a child with another woman will “undoubtedly damage his public image.”

“Unfortunately, Grohl is not the first rock star to be unfaithful, and he won’t be the last. Many will probably see this as normal, although they will have sympathy for his family,” she said Newsweek.

“Also, Grohl’s announcement was likely an attempt to get ahead of the news. However, the fact that he has stated that he will take care of his new daughter will be received positively.”

Dr. Contrecia T. Tharpe, chief storyteller and strategist at FayeVaughn Creative, a marketing, branding and communications agency, doesn’t disagree with Mumba. She said Grohl’s longstanding reputation as a “nice guy” has earned him considerable goodwill – and that may help soften the blow of this revelation.

“Over the years, Grohl has built an image of authenticity, humility and generosity, which helps him weather personal controversies like this one. His loyal fan base, as well as the general public, will likely approach him with a certain level of understanding – especially given his history of good deeds and positive public presence,” she explained.

“However, public perception will largely depend on how he handles the story from here on out. Transparency will be key. If Grohl openly acknowledges the situation, takes responsibility and responds with sincerity, he has the opportunity to steer the conversation in a more positive direction. A direct, honest approach would reinforce the authenticity on which his brand is built and help him maintain the trust of both his fans and the media.”

Tharpe said if Grohl avoids or downplays the issue in the future, it could become a bigger PR challenge.

She continued: “In today’s media landscape, where there is constant scrutiny and narratives can quickly get out of hand, any attempt to shift responsibility could damage his brand in the long term. It could shift the discussion from a personal matter to a broader critique of his integrity and make it more difficult for him to restore his former standing.

“Ultimately, how Grohl responds will be the deciding factor in whether this remains a limited personal issue or develops into a larger crisis. If the matter is handled with the right balance of transparency and accountability, Grohl’s image as a popular rock figure can likely endure, albeit with some adjustments to his public persona in the future.”

Frank Tortorici, vice president of media relations and crisis communications at MarketingMaven.com, explained that the entertainment industry often has different rules for men and women when it comes to infidelity. Because of this, Tortorici does not believe this latest development will have any impact on Grohl’s career.

“Just as Jon Bon Jovi faced little criticism when he said he had had hundreds of wives despite being married for over 30 years, Dave Grohl’s admission that he fathered a child out of wedlock will have no impact on his career,” he said.

“The public views male rock stars through rosy ‘boys will be boys’ glasses, while female rock stars are demonized for even the smallest infidelity. Unfortunately, the old double standards are still alive and well in the world of rock music.”

Ryan McCormick, co-founder and media specialist at Goldman McCormick Public Relations, agreed with Tortorici. He said Newsweek He does not believe that this development will harm Grohl’s career or reputation, but some fans may not forgive him.

“Yes, some fans will turn away forever because they don’t want to support people who don’t share their values ​​(in this case, infidelity). But others will see Dave as just another human being who isn’t perfect and has flaws,” he said.

“Dave has long cemented his place as a legendary musician and is revered by millions. His career will continue.”

Lauren Stralo, PR director at LevLane, a full-service advertising agency, said transparency and humility are essential in reputation management. She explained that Grohl’s release of a statement on Instagram was a great first step.

While some fans may be disappointed at first, Stralo said that the fact that Grohl took control of the story early on, was open about his mistakes and emphasized his connection to his family will help him in the long run.

“In crisis communication and public relations, we know that the public values ​​authenticity and people are often willing to forgive when someone admits their mistakes without distracting or making excuses,” she said. Newsweek.

“Authenticity and humility cannot be faked. If Grohl continues to communicate openly with his fan base, the long-term impact on his career will likely be minimized. From a PR and crisis communications perspective, he did exactly what experts would recommend – he avoided excuses, stayed sincere, and moved the story forward with honesty and accountability.”

Grohl has been married to Blum since 2003. They have three daughters together: Violet, Harper and Ophelia. His previous marriage to Jennifer Youngblood ended in 1997 due to Grohl’s infidelity, as he admitted in an interview with The GuardianIn the same story, he described his wife and Violet, their only child at the time, as “anchors that keep me from disappearing completely.”