A post has surfaced online suggesting Carlos Santana has publicly canceled Netflix, sparking an alleged debate over LGBTQ+ content. If you’ve seen this post or you have questions, there’s something you should know.
Given it’s the biggest streaming service in the world, Netflix has been through multiple controversies over the years, whether that’s in its password sharing crackdown or for allegations that its ‘quantity over quality’ approach is to blame for the changing TV landscape.
But this week, the brand was attached to an altogether different accusation, one involving Carlos Santana, the guitarist best known as the founding member of the rock band Santana.
According to a now-viral post, Santana allegedly dropped out of a Netflix documentary on his life due to a spat regarding LGBTQ+ content. However, none of it’s true.
Did Carlos Santana ‘cancel Netflix’ after movie controversy?
The claims Carlos Santana has “canceled Netflix” and cut ties with the streaming service are untrue. Not only are these claims entirely false, but the musician isn’t working on a documentary film with Netflix.
If you were fooled, it’s probably because the originating post looks legitimate. The situation unfolded earlier this week when social media user ScottyTheKid uploaded an image on Instagram featuring an X/Twitter comment appearing to be by Santana.
It reads, “I have asked Netflix to remove all of my scenes from the film because I no longer want to be associated with the project.” Just to reiterate, Santana never tweeted this – it’s merely an edited image to accompany ScottyTheKid’s fictitious post.
Alongside this, the Instagram user wrote, “BREAKING: Carlos Santana recommends Netflix to cut all of his footage from a new music documentary about his life and artistic journey after his most recent tour.
“The Grammy-winning guitar legend has publicly ‘CANCELLED NETFLIX’ after discovering the platform was releasing LGBT-themed children’s films without parental controls.
“According to sources close to Santana, the artist is ‘deeply disappointed’ and believes the platform has ‘lost its moral compass.’
“‘I believe in love – but I also believe in protecting innocence,’ Santana said. ‘There’s a difference between artistic freedom and sowing confusion in young hearts.’
“The move quickly sparked a fierce debate on social media. Some praise Santana for standing firm in his beliefs and values, while others criticize him for being ‘too radical’ and ‘conservative.’
“Despite the divide in opinion, one thing is undeniable: when Carlos Santana speaks, the music world listens.”
Even though this news is entirely fabricated, it’s fooled plenty of people online, with the post earning more than 9,300 likes and being shared by other accounts. “God bless him,” wrote one, while another said, “Always loved Carlos, and now I love him even more.”
“I’ll be blaring a Santana Playlist from my shop for at least the next week,” added a third, with a fourth commenting, “God bless Carlos Santana for his courage!”… Who’s going to tell them?
Fake Santana post comes after Dead End: Paranormal Park saga
The fake Santana news arrives at a time when the streaming service is leaning more into diverse storytelling, including series and films that center LGBTQ+ characters, coming-of-age themes, and gender-identity arcs.
These titles often receive praise from audiences for representation and visibility. At the same time, they also become lightning rods for conservative critics who frame the content as part of a so-called “woke agenda”.
This reached new heights earlier this month when Elon Musk told his followers to “cancel” their Netflix subscriptions for the “health of your kids”.
Despite his alarmist wording, this was all due to the resurfacing of the 2022 animated series Dead End: Paranormal Park, which features a trans cartoon character.
Other right-wing commentators joined in on the conversation, with Robby Starbuck – critic of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies – reposting Musk’s demand. The Santana post is false, but it only adds to the growing pattern of misinformation surrounding Netflix’s programming.
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