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

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

“I recently became the father of a new baby girl, born out of wedlock,” he wrote on Instagram. “I plan to be a loving and supportive parent to her. I love my wife and my children, and I am committed to earning their trust and forgiveness. We are grateful for your consideration for all the children involved as we move forward together.”

Fans were stunned by this news, especially since many have often described him as “the nicest guy in rock.” Newsweek spoke with five PR experts about the impact of this news on Grohl’s long-term reputation.

Newsweek sent an email to a Grohl spokesperson for comment on Wednesday.

Zoe Mumba is a senior manager of public relations and communications at Bitmovin, an Emmy Award-winning video streaming company, with more than eight years of experience in the industry. She explained that Grohl’s decades-long marriage has enhanced his public image by creating the perception 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 tarnish his public image.”

“Unfortunately, Grohl is not the first rock star to be unfaithful and he will not be the last. Many will likely take this for granted, despite their sympathy for his family,” she said Newsweek.

“Additionally, while Grohl’s announcement was likely an attempt to get ahead of the news, the fact that he has indicated that he is an involved parent to 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 a lot of goodwill, and that could soften the blow of this revelation.

“Over the years, Grohl has cultivated an image of authenticity, humility and generosity, which are powerful assets in weathering personal controversies like this. His loyal fan base, as well as the broader public, will likely view him with some understanding, particularly given his history of good deeds and positive public presence,” she explained.

“That said, public perception will largely depend on how he manages the narrative from this point on. 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 of his brand, which helps 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 lead to greater public relations challenges.

She continued: “In today’s media landscape, where scrutiny is constant and stories can escalate quickly, any attempt to deflect responsibility could damage his brand in the long run. It could shift the conversation from one about a personal matter to a broader critique of his integrity, making it harder for him to regain his previous position.

“Ultimately, how Grohl responds will be the determining factor in whether this remains a contained personal issue or escalates into a larger crisis. If handled with the right balance of transparency and accountability, Grohl’s image as a beloved rock figure can likely be sustained, albeit with some adjustments to his public persona going forward.”

Frank Tortorici, VP of media relations and crisis communications at MarketingMaven.com, explained that there are often different rules for men and women in the entertainment industry when it comes to infidelity, so Tortorici doesn’t think this latest development will have any impact on Grohl’s career.

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

“The public views male rock stars through a rose-colored ‘boys will be boys’ lens, while female rock stars are painted as villains for even a minor infidelity. Unfortunately, the old double standard is alive and well in the world of rock music.”

Ryan McCormick, co-founder and media relations specialist at Goldman McCormick Public Relations, agreed with Tortorici. He said Newsweek that he doesn’t think this development will harm Grohl’s career or reputation, but that some fans might 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). Others, however, will see Dave as a human being who is imperfect and has flaws,” he said.

“Dave has long established his place as a legendary musician and is revered in the minds of millions. His career will continue.”

Lauren Stralo, director of public relations at LevLane, a full-service advertising agency, said transparency and humility are key to reputation management. She explained that Grohl sharing a statement on Instagram was a great first step.

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

“In crisis communications and public relations, we know that audiences value authenticity and that 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 fans, the impact on his long-term career will likely be minimized. From a PR and crisis communications perspective, he has done exactly what experts would recommend: He has avoided making excuses, remained genuine, and advanced the narrative with honesty and accountability.”

Grohl has been married to Blum since 2003. They have three daughters: 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 guardIn the same story, he referred to his wife and Violet, their only child at the time, as “anchors that keep me from disappearing completely.”