‘I felt unsafe’: Sum 41 frontman addresses hate for his relationship with Avril Lavigne

Deryck Whibley, the lead singer and guitarist of the punk rock band Sum 41, and Avril Lavigne, the Canadian pop-punk queen known for hits like Complicated and Sk8er Boi, were married in 2006, becoming one of the most high-profile celebrity couples of the mid-2000s. While their relationship appeared to be full of love, it was constantly overshadowed by harsh criticism from both of their fanbases, intense media attention, and the pressures of fame.

Their marriage ended in divorce in 2010, though they continued to collaborate musically after their split, notably on the soundtrack for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. In his memoir Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell, Whibley opens up about the emotional toll their relationship took on him and the backlash they faced from all sides.

Whibley recently shares the immense pressures of being publicly scrutinized while dating Lavigne, recalling how both of their fanbases made him feel like an outsider. He remembers Sum 41 fans showing up to shows with signs reading “Avril Sucks!” and insulting her music. “When I signed autographs after the show, people would flat-out say, ‘Why are you with her? Her music is s—,'” he writes. Meanwhile, Lavigne’s fans didn’t hold back either, criticizing his appearance and implying he wasn’t good enough for her.

Whibley started to worry for his safety because the situation got so bad. The FBI had to get involved after credible death threats were made against him, leading to the implementation of professional security measures. He also reflects on the cruel treatment he received from the media, which often ignored his band Sum 41, choosing instead to reduce him to just “Mr. Lavigne” or “Avril’s troll of a husband.” Paparazzi were relentless, taunting him about Lavigne’s success in attempts to provoke a reaction.

Internal tensions also affected Whibley’s relationship with his bandmates. He recalls that Sum 41’s drummer, Stevo Jocz, openly criticized his relationship with Lavigne, even blaming it for the band’s perceived struggles during the release of their Underclass Hero album. Whibley writes that Jocz’s animosity was well known within the group, and the rest of the band made little effort to welcome Lavigne, often making her feel uncomfortable during band gatherings.

Despite the external and internal pressures, Whibley and Lavigne remained committed to each other, at least for a time. However, the public and personal challenges ultimately led to their divorce in 2010. They continued to work together professionally, with one of their most notable collaborations being the soundtrack for Alice in Wonderland.In her memoir, Whibley candidly examines the darker side of celebrity and the psychological costs of being well-known.