Chappell Roan Addresses Security Guard Allegations Involving Football Star's Family
Grammy-winning singer Chappell Roan has publicly responded to accusations made by Brazilian-Italian soccer star Jorginho, who claimed that a security guard mistreated his 11-year-old stepdaughter after she recognized the artist. The incident reportedly occurred at a hotel in Sao Paulo, where Roan was staying for the Lollapalooza Brazil music festival.
Roan's Statement on Instagram
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Roan addressed the controversy, stating that the security guard in question was not part of her personal team. She emphasized that she did not witness any interaction involving a woman and a child. "It's unfair for security to just assume someone doesn't have good intentions," Roan said. "I do not hate people who are fans of my music. I do not hate children." Her response aimed to distance herself from the guard's actions and clarify her stance on fan interactions.
Catherine Harding's Video Statement
Following Roan's remarks, Catherine Harding, the wife of footballer Jorginho Frello—widely known as Jorginho—issued a video statement on social media. Harding, who is also the mother of the child involved, expressed frustration over the escalating situation. "This is the last thing I am going to say about this now, because it's getting a bit crazy," she began.
Reacting to Roan's claim that the security guard was not hers, Harding countered that the man was not affiliated with the hotel either. She told Chappell, "You have a responsibility as a celebrity..." Harding detailed the events, quoting Roan's assertion that she "didn't notice anything" or anyone, which Jorginho had previously described as "nothing happened."
Harding narrated that her family was staying at the same hotel and noticed a girl with long red hair during breakfast. Her daughter, who is a fan of Roan, debated whether it was the singer but did not approach or take photos. "She just looked at her and smiled," Harding explained, adding that her daughter initially thought it might be Roan's sister. The family had traveled to Brazil specifically for Roan's concert as a birthday gift, but after the incident, they decided to skip the event.
Jorginho's Initial Allegations
The controversy erupted after Jorginho posted a lengthy text on Instagram in both Portuguese and English on Saturday. He described how his wife and stepdaughter were at the hotel when Roan walked past their table. "My daughter, like any child, recognized her, got excited and just wanted to make sure it was really her," Jorginho said. The child, who is the daughter of Catherine Harding and British actor Jude Law, did not speak or ask for anything.
Jorginho alleged that a security guard then approached their table and spoke "in an extremely aggressive manner to both my wife and my daughter." He concluded by stating that Roan did not deserve her fans' affection, intensifying the public dispute.
Political and Cultural Repercussions
Rio's new mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere, weighed in on the controversy late Saturday, declaring that Roan would never perform on Copacabana Beach during his tenure, unlike artists such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Shakira. "I doubt that Shakira would do that!" he remarked, announcing that Jorginho's daughter would be a guest of honor at Shakira's upcoming free concert in Rio. Cavaliere replaced former Mayor Eduardo Paes on Friday, adding a political dimension to the incident.
Chappell Roan, an openly queer artist known for incorporating drag culture, rose to fame in 2024 with hits like "Good Luck, Babe!" and "Red Wine Supernova" from her 2023 album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess." She won the Grammy for best new artist in February, surpassing Sabrina Carpenter. This controversy highlights the challenges celebrities face in managing public interactions and security protocols.
