The 2025 Grammy Awards red carpet created quite the stir over what many are calling disrespectful behavior from interviewers, particularly involving legendary songwriter Babyface and newcomer Chappell Roan. The incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with users sharing their outrage over the handling of the situation.
Video clips from the event show Babyface, 65, engaged with two AP reporters as they prepared to hear his insights on the prestigious occasion. Suddenly, as 26-year-old Chappell Roan approached, the interviewers interrupted Babyface, eager to pivot to the rising star. "Chappell!" one reporter exclaimed, effectively sidelining the iconic musician mid-sentence. This awkward exchange quickly caught the eye of viewers, generating immediate reactions.
The scene drew ire from social media users who branded the interruption as simply "rude" and "disrespectful." One commenter denounced the action, remarking, "Watching the AP Grammy Red Carpet and this interviewer just cut Babyface off to talk to Chappell Roan – the disrespect is insane." Others echoed similar sentiments, calling for consequences for the interviewers involved. One Twitter user wrote, "hey @AP you need to have a serious conversation with your employees" about how they treated Babyface, especially during Black History Month.
Further criticism came from another user who said the incident was indicative of broader professional issues. "This was really disrespectful. Extremely unprofessional. I hope these two are never allowed to do interviews again," they said, highlighting the need for meaningful conduct oversight at high-profile events.
The video, which has since gone viral, cut to Babyface humorously questioning the reporters, asking, "You guys want to go through this?" Eventually, he graciously gestured for Roan to approach and take the mic after they had apologized for the interruption. Despite the laugh, the moment left many feeling uneasy about how the situation unfolded.
While social media reactions overwhelmingly favored Babyface, Chappell Roan's fans remained ecstatic about her achievements. She received six nominations at this year's Grammys, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Roan, whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, saw her first album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, released in September 2023, garner significant acclaim and commercial success, with multiple tracks hitting the charts. Notably, her performance during the event featured her hit single Pink Pony Club, showcasing her artistic flair and drawing attention to her burgeoning career.
The inquiry undoubtedly raises questions about professionalism among media interviewers at such high-stakes events. Online audiences have suggested rigorous training or alternative hiring approaches for AP and similar organizations to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Despite the backlash, neither Babyface nor Roan has publicly commented directly on the controversy, and as of the latest updates, AP has yet to provide any response or statement concerning the incident. The discussion remains active among fans and observers alike, with many calling it both "disgusting" and "classless."
Another user poignantly noted, "Take those mics away and fire those girls IMMEDIATELY," solidifying the widespread call for accountability among entertainment correspondents.
It's clear from the outcry on social media platforms like Twitter, now known simply as X, reflects significant feelings surrounding respect and acknowledgement of musical legends, especially during significant cultural moments like the Grammys. Users' reactions suggest there is broad consensus advocating for dignified behavior from those representing such notable platforms.
The Grammy Awards serve not only to celebrate artistic achievement but also contribute to the media's portrayal of culture, events, and the icons within it. This moment serves as yet another reminder of journalism's responsibility to balance coverage with professionalism and respect for established figures within the industry.
Moving forward, the focus remains not only on the outcome of the awards but on how organizations like the AP will address the backlash against their practices, and whether they will take steps to amend their approach to red carpet coverage and celebrity interactions.