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Grammy-winning singer Chappell Roan has responded to allegations from Brazilian-Italian soccer player Jorginho that a security guard harshly confronted his 11-year-old stepdaughter after the child recognized the pop star at a hotel in São Paulo.
The incident, which has sparked controversy across social media platforms, occurred while Roan was in Brazil to perform at the Lollapalooza music festival. According to Jorginho, who currently plays for Brazilian club Flamengo, his wife Catherine Harding and stepdaughter—who is the child of Harding and British actor Jude Law—were staying at the same hotel as the singer.
“During breakfast, the artist walked past their table. My daughter, like any child, recognized her, got excited and just wanted to make sure it was really her,” Jorginho explained in a bilingual Instagram post on Saturday. “She didn’t say anything, didn’t ask for anything.”
The soccer star claimed that a security guard then approached their table and spoke “in an extremely aggressive manner to both my wife and my daughter,” leading him to suggest that Roan did not deserve her fans’ support.
Roan addressed the controversy directly on Sunday via her own Instagram account, clarifying key details about the incident. The “Hot To Go!” singer stated that the security guard was not part of her personal team and emphasized that she hadn’t witnessed any interaction with a woman and child.
“It’s unfair for security to just assume someone doesn’t have good intentions,” Roan noted. “I do not hate people who are fans of my music. I do not hate children.”
The incident has attracted attention beyond the music and sports worlds, with Rio de Janeiro’s new mayor Eduardo Cavaliere weighing in on Saturday. Cavaliere, who just replaced former mayor Eduardo Paes on Friday, declared that while he holds office, Roan would never be invited to perform on Copacabana Beach—a prestigious venue where international superstars like Madonna and Lady Gaga have previously held concerts.
“I doubt that Shakira would do that!” Cavaliere commented, referring to the alleged treatment of Jorginho’s family. He added that the soccer player’s daughter would be honored as a special guest at Shakira’s upcoming free concert on Rio’s famous beach in May.
Chappell Roan has quickly risen to prominence in the pop music scene over the past year. Known for her openly queer identity and embrace of drag culture, Roan has captivated audiences with tracks like “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Red Wine Supernova” from her 2023 album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” Her breakthrough culminated in February when she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, edging out another rising pop sensation, Sabrina Carpenter.
Despite the tension surrounding the hotel incident, Jorginho later shared a more positive update on social media, posting his daughter’s excited reaction upon arriving at Carpenter’s Lollapalooza performance. “Everything is well with the girls, and thanks for the messages,” he wrote, suggesting a desire to move past the controversy.
The situation highlights the often complicated dynamics between celebrities, security personnel, and fans—particularly young ones—in public spaces. As artists like Roan gain international recognition, navigating these interactions becomes increasingly challenging, especially in foreign countries where cultural expectations around celebrity encounters may differ.
Neither Roan’s management team nor representatives for Lollapalooza Brazil have issued formal statements regarding the incident beyond the artists’ social media posts.
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8 Comments
Allegations of mistreatment, especially towards a child, are very serious. I hope the full facts come to light and that appropriate measures are taken to address the situation, regardless of who is at fault.
It’s unfortunate when fan encounters with celebrities turn sour, particularly when a child is involved. Hopefully the parties can find a way to resolve this in a respectful manner that prioritizes the wellbeing of the young person.
This seems like a complex situation that would benefit from more information. As a fan, I hope the parties involved can come to an understanding and ensure the child’s wellbeing is the top priority.
This is an unfortunate incident. While the details are unclear, it’s important to handle fan encounters, especially with children, with care and sensitivity. Hopefully the parties can resolve this amicably.
This is a delicate situation that requires careful handling. While the details are unclear, it’s important that celebrities, their security, and fans, especially those with children, interact with empathy and professionalism.
As a fan, I’m concerned to hear about this incident. Regardless of the specifics, I hope both sides can find a constructive resolution that ensures the child’s comfort and safety is the top priority.
It’s concerning to hear about a security guard allegedly acting aggressively towards a child, even if the details are disputed. Celebrities should strive to maintain positive relationships with their fans, especially the youngest ones.
You make a good point. Fan interactions, especially with minors, require a delicate touch. Hopefully both sides can find a constructive resolution.