Arnel Pineda Breaks His Silence After Inviting Fans To Vote Him out of Journey

Arnel Pineda is addressing his supporters. After Journey‘s longest-serving frontman decided to put his future in the band up for a vote, he took to Instagram to reveal that he’d be maintaining his position.

“Just wanna thank you all once again for the overwhelming and very heartening words of support you all have been sending my way,” he wrote. “I took the risk of asking the fans and friends something that I know only few could ever understand..the GO or the STAY.”

“Believe me or not, I didn’t take it lightly when I decided to say it plus I have my very valid reasons why and I have expected the backlashes/negativities/confusions it will cause and generate,” Pineda continued. “And yet pls know that I have the most utmost respect to each and everyone of you…whether you are my haters or supporters..from my heart and from my soul, I know what I feel and see…WE ARE WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE.”

Pineda concluded by noting, “One day, the band will just throw in the towels but the #LEGACY that the original members has created will live on #forever …thats the take away right there. Again, huge huge respect, love and gratitude to everybody.”

Arnel Pineada’s Rock in Rio Performance Caused Controversy

The situation started earlier this month. At the time, some fans complained that Pineda’s performance during Journey’s Rock in Rio set left much to be desired.

In an Instagram post after the fact, Pineada said that “no one more than me in this world feels so devastated” by his missed high notes during “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

“I am offering you a chance now (especially those who’s hated me and never liked me from the very beginning) to simply text GO or STAY right here,” he wrote. “And if GO reaches 1million…I’ m stepping out for good.”

Arnel Pineda’s First Statement About the Situation

Pineda received support from his bandmates, before speaking out about the situation shortly thereafter.

“I want to apologize for the inconvenience I have caused all of Journey’s faithful fans out there,” he said. “I know the band’s not perfect right now and in turmoil, but… bottom line, good has won,” he said, seemingly alluding to the votes coming out in his favor.”

Pineda noted that he “humbly” accepted the results, but noted that he didn’t put up the ultimatum for “some selfish reason or to feed me with such gratifying feeling.” Rather, he said, “[It was] more about a spiritual journey for me and my profound curiosity about what’s winning in the world these days.”

After slamming people for hiding behind their phones to express their “cruelty, bigotry, or discriminatory and racist remarks,” Pineda said “good people [came] to my rescue.”

“There’s still so much good in this world, really, I believe so. I am so grateful to each and every one of you,” he said. “I’d also like to thank the ones that relentlessly exploited my imperfections for your own selfish intentions. Remember, our universe is still alive, guys, and it knows how to give back all the time, good and bad. It depends on what we all did from the past. With God by our side, nothing could go wrong.”

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