Singer Omarion clarifies the confusion with omicron: 'I am an artist, not a variant'

First it was Corona beer, then Delta Airlines. Now, singer Omarion has become the latest victim of an unfortunate comparison to COVID-19 with the rise of the omicron variant.

But the singer-songwriter and former B2K member has responded in a series of TikTok posts about the confusion with his name and the omicron variant.

"Hi everybody, this is Omarion. I am an artist, not a variant," he said in the first TikTok posted on Saturday. "So please be aware that if you just so happen to run into me on the street, you don’t have to isolate for five days, nor do you have to have a negative test result to dance to my music."

In a second video posted, he reiterated his message while wishing everybody a happy new year.

"While it’s important not to touch me and keep your distance, cause you know that’s how it’s supposed to be, you don’t need a negative test to dance to my music," he says. "I want to tell everybody stay safe and be good to one another."

In a third video for "New Year's Rockin' Eve," he jokingly says his lawyers asked him to clarify mix-up and "don't be disrespectful" about the comparisons with the variant.

On Dec. 24, he said in a Twitter post, "I can't stand y'all" and was "sending love and healing energy to all."

As the omicron became the dominant variant of COVID-19 in the United States, the singer's clarifications come as a recent social media trend has internet users playfully talking about how they got the "Omarion variant," while playing hit songs such as "Post to Be" and "Ice Box" and dancing some of the singer's signature moves. Comments include "symptoms may include but not limited to dancing, rhythm, passionate love making."

As the artist had fun with the jokes, omicron has once again affected the entertainment industry. Several events, such as the Critics Choice Awards and numerous Broadway shows, have been canceled or postponed as COVID-19 cases rise across the country.

Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'I am an artist, not a variant': Singer Omarion talks omicron memes