Echosmith Shares Statement On Travis Barker's Comments About Drummer

Echosmith drummer Graham Sierota's messages to Travis Barker's daughter Alabama have caused quite the stir this week. From the outside, a 20-year-old DMing a 13-year-old doesn't look good, but the Sierota family is standing up Graham and have issued a statement explaining what may have prompted him to engage with the young girl without realizing its implications.

In the statement, the family reveals Graham was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was a child, and as a result has a hard time picking up on social cues. They go on to explain how his challenges have never been an issue in their family, and in fact have been "truly beautiful and wonderful" because of his inspiring outlook on life; however, they acknowledge that "his interactions were misinterpreted and misunderstood" and apologize for that, noting he "certainly never meant to make anyone feel uncomfortable."

They end the message by vowing to continue working with Graham to help build the "right tools and knowledge about social boundaries, and to better navigate and utilize social media while he takes a break from it."

Read the Sierota family's full statement below:

We have never publicly addressed this in the past, but given the events of the last few days, we feel compelled to speak out now to offer some additional context and insight into the unfortunate misunderstandings that occurred and clear up the deeply hurtful mischaracterizations of Graham. As a child, Graham was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has difficulty understanding social cues.

Graham’s challenges have always been a non-issue in our family. In fact, it is a truly beautiful and wonderful thing that makes Graham the amazing brother, son and friend that he is. His outlook on life inspires us every day. He’ll be the first one to say “today is gonna be the best day ever,” or, “you’re my best friend and you look amazing today.” He sees the world as the happiest place, where everyone is a potential friend, and he wants everyone to feel included. One very recent Christmas, we hosted a holiday party at our home, and had athletes, musicians, artists, and models show up, and we were very confused until they happily told us “Graham reached out on social media and invited us!” Anyone who has ever met Graham will agree, he is the friendliest and most kind-hearted, welcoming person in the world.

We understand that his interactions were misinterpreted and misunderstood in the confusing world of social media, and we are deeply sorry. Graham certainly never meant to make anyone feel uncomfortable.

As a family, we will continue to work with him to have the right tools and knowledge about social boundaries, and to better navigate and utilize social media while he takes a break from it. 

We hope anyone who’s been affected, and in turn felt uncomfortable, can accept our deepest apologies.

~ Sydney, Noah, Graham, Linda and Jeffery

Photo: Getty Images