Singer & Actress Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny’s Child, made headlines after a heated exchange with a security guard during the premiere of “Marcello Mio” at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. The incident, which unfolded on the red carpet, has sparked discussions about treatment and behavior at high-profile events.
Rowland was seen posing for photos and waving to fans as she made her way up the stairs at the premiere. However, the atmosphere shifted when a female security guard, assigned to assist stars on the red carpet, allegedly became overly aggressive towards the singer.
“The people who are assigned to helping stars walk the red carpet were being aggressive and Kelly was trying to ignore it,” an insider told the Daily Mail. “By the time [Rowland] got to the last woman, she had had it because the security guard scolded Kelly and told her to move when she was trying to wave to fans and help the paparazzi get their shot.”
Photos from the event show Rowland looking visibly agitated as she interacted with the security guard. The singer later addressed the incident, explaining her actions and the context behind her response.
“There were other women that attended that carpet who did not quite look like me, and they didn’t get scolded or pushed off or told to get off [the carpet],” Rowland told The Associated Press.
“I stood my ground. And she felt like she had to stand hers, but I stood my ground. And that was it.”
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Rowland’s assertiveness was both praised and scrutinized by onlookers and media. She emphasized that her response was necessary and justified, given the security guard’s behavior and the double standards she perceived in how she was treated compared to other attendees.
“Kelly and her team were not happy. They did not like the dressing room, so they decided to pull her off the show, leaving [Hoda Kotb] without a guest host for the 10 a.m. hour,” a source familiar with the situation told Page Six. This was not the first time Rowland had to stand up for herself and her team in public scenarios.
In response to the Cannes incident, Rowland’s representative spoke out, defending her character and actions. “After 28 years of knowing her, Kelly Rowland remains one of the kindest, most amiable humans I have ever met and have had the blessing to represent,” they told “Entertainment Tonight.”
The incident has drawn attention to broader issues of respect and treatment at celebrity events, particularly concerning how different individuals are handled by security and event staff. Rowland’s stance has been seen as a call for equitable treatment and professional behavior across the board.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, such incidents highlight the ongoing need for awareness and sensitivity in handling high-profile figures, especially during prestigious events like the Cannes Film Festival. Rowland’s decision to stand her ground serves as a reminder that respect and fair treatment should be universal standards, regardless of the setting or the individual’s status.
Kelly Rowland’s presence at Cannes, despite the altercation, underscored her resilience and commitment to advocating for herself. Her actions and subsequent statements have sparked important conversations about dignity, respect, and equality in the entertainment world.
