AP has been fighting heavy backlash since fans discovered that one of its reporters cut Babyface short at the Grammys. The distinguished musician was answering reporters’ questions when one of them leaned over and disrupted the interview. Although Babyface handled the situation gracefully, the singer’s friends and fans have criticized AP for how its representatives treated Babyface.
AP Reporters Cut Babyface Short At Grammys
13-time Grammy Award winner Babyface was on the red carpet with two Associated Press (AP) reporters last night, February 2, for the Grammys when an awkward situation occurred. The singer was answering questions from reporters Leslie Ambriz and Krysta Fauria about the growing trend of “genre-fusion” in music when Fauria interrupted the conversation. The AP reporter had leaned over, seen Chappelle Roan, and shouted for Roan to come over, abruptly ending Babyface’s session.
Babyface quickly realized the reporters’ attention had shifted and graciously relinquished the microphone.
“You guys wanna do that? Go do that,” he told Ambriz and Fauria as he stepped back.
Ambriz apologized before he left, saying, “I’m so sorry, Babyface.” Meanwhile, an oblivious Roan joined the ladies who questioned her about her Jean Paul Gaultier look. Roan won her first Grammy yesterday for Best New Artist.
Celebrities React to AP Cutting Babyface Off
Several celebrities rose to Babyface’s defense after the interview where the AP reporter cut him off went viral. Khloe Kardashian wrote on X that AP’s treatment of Babyface was “disrespectful.”
“It’s maddening to see a LEGEND not get the respect and attention they deserve. He is a pioneer and deserves so much better than this,” she said and 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.”
Dionne Warwick also weighed in, writing on X, “Am I seeing this correctly?” She then posted the definition of “decorum” and tagged AP. Singer Shawn Stockman also expressed his angst on Instagram over how AP cut Babyface off. He said it was “F****d up,” and questioned why such only seemed to happen in the music industry. Meanwhile, Fortress actor Eric West opined that introducing the music icon to Chappell Roan would have made for a smooth transition.
AP Apologizes For Cutting Babyface Off
Following the severe backlash for cutting Babyface off, AP apologized to the musician and his fans on X.
“We are deeply sorry for cutting our interview with Babyface short on our YouTube livestream of the Grammys red carpet,” they said. “We have apologized to him through his representative and to our viewers on the livestream.”
Fauria had also apologized to the icon after the red carpet. She said:
“I’m really sorry about interrupting Babyface earlier. Chappell Roan had come up and there was a lot of commotion as there is on these carpets. But I’m a big Babyface fan, as are we all. And I just wanted to say that I really apologize.”
Babyface Responds To AP Cutting Him Off
Several fans also piled on AP after it cut off Babyface and called it disrespectful to the legend’s contribution to the music industry. Additionally, a fan pointed out that treating the renowned artist that way during Black History Month was incredibly disrespectful and rude.
“Hey @AP you need to have a serious conversation with your employees. 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,” they wrote.
However, Babyface has responded to the broadcaster cutting him off, and he seemed to only focus on the positive aspects of the night. He told USA TODAY in an email last night:
“The best part of the night was reconnecting with old friends, meeting new artists, and feeling all the love in the room. That’s what I’ll remember. That’s what it’s really about. Music is bigger than any one moment. Much love to everyone who won and everyone out here making great music.”
#Clique, what do you think about AP’s treatment of Babyface and subsequent apology? Let us know in the comments.