Red carpet reporters at the Grammys have apologised after cutting off Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds to talk to Chappell Roan instead.
Associated Press journalists Leslie Ambriz and Krysta Fauria were interviewing Grammy-winning producer Babyface when Fauria spotted pop star Roan behind them at the 2025 Grammys on Sunday.
Babyface, 65, was mid-answer when Fauria called out: “Chappell! Chappell!”
Babyface handled the moment gracefully, saying, “You guys wanna do that? Go do that,” and walked away.
Ambriz said to the A-list star, “I’m so sorry. Sorry,” as Roan, 26, stepped forward to be interviewed.
Footage of the moment was widely criticized on social media, with Grammy-winning singer Dionne Warwick calling out the incident.
She shared the clip on X with the caption: “13x Grammy Award winning Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds? Am I seeing this correctly?”
Warwick also posted a screenshot of the definition of the word “decorum”.
A fan responded, “I don't think they’re aware of all the classics he wrote,” to which she said: “And you shouldn't be on that red carpet unless you do.”
Fauria later apologised for the moment, saying: “I wanted to say that I’m really sorry about interrupting Babyface earlier.
“There was a lot of commotion on the carpet, but I’m a big Babyface fan, as are we all. I really apologize."
Khloe Kardashian, 40, also supported Babyface on her Instagram Story, writing: “This is so disrespectful… Babyface has had such a significant impact on the music industry.
“He is a pioneer and deserves so much better than this. With decades of groundbreaking work as a songwriter, producer, and performer, he's shaped the sound of multiple generations.”
“I love you Babyface and I am a forever fan ad thankful fpr al that you have blessed us with. By the way, what a class act you are,” the Kardashians star added alongside three love heart emojis.
She concluded: “PS. Big or small, old or new - you don't treat people like this. At least not in my eyes. There's a way to handle this and this was wrong in my opinion.”
Other critics shared their outrage on X, with one writing: “Disrespecting THEE Babyface while interviewing him is absolutely insane.”
Another added: “Cutting off the musical icon who is Babyface and taking his mic abruptly while he was speaking to talk to Chappell Roan is so incredibly disrespectful and rude. Especially during black history month.”
A third posted: “Beyoooonndddddd disrespectful…. Babyface or not. This is GROSSLY unprofessional! How did you all even ALLOW this???
“Where’s the media training??? Where’s the moral compass???”
