Mother Alleges Daughter Was Berated by Security After Spotting Chappell Roan in Hotel
Catherine Harding, an Irish singer, has publicly claimed that her 11-year-old daughter was left "extremely shaken and cried a lot" following an encounter with security personnel at a Sao Paulo hotel. The incident allegedly occurred after the child spotted pop star Chappell Roan, whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, during breakfast. According to Harding, her daughter merely smiled at the singer as she walked past their table, without approaching or using a phone.
Footballer Husband Criticises Singer on Social Media
The situation escalated when Harding's husband, former Premier League footballer Jorginho, who currently plays for Flamengo, took to Instagram to criticise Roan. In a post on Saturday, he accused the singer's security of speaking "in an extremely aggressive manner" to his wife and daughter. Jorginho asserted that Roan does not appreciate her supporters, stating bluntly: "Without your fans, you would be nothing." The couple had purchased tickets to Roan's Sao Paulo show as a birthday gift for their daughter, adding a personal dimension to the dispute.
Roan Denies Involvement and Expresses Regret
Chappell Roan responded to the allegations via Instagram stories on Sunday, firmly denying any involvement. The 28-year-old singer clarified that neither Harding nor her daughter had approached her, and crucially, she claimed the security guard in question was not part of her personal detail. "I did not ask the security guard to go up and talk to this mother and child, I did not," Roan stated, lying in bed during her video message. She expressed sadness over the incident, adding: "I do not hate people who are fans of my music. I do not hate children – that is crazy."
Roan emphasised that the individuals were likely hotel guests, not fans attempting to interact with her. She criticised the security guard's actions, saying it was unfair to assume bad intentions without any provocation. Her response aimed to distance herself from the confrontation while acknowledging the distress caused to the child.
Harding Questions Celebrity Responsibility for Security Actions
Despite Roan's denial, Catherine Harding maintained that the security guard appeared to be associated with the singer, describing him as someone who "looks after artists" and was "with her." Harding questioned the extent of a celebrity's responsibility for the conduct of those representing them. "I think that you have a responsibility, when you are a celebrity, to make sure, I guess, that the people that work for you and that act on your behalf are acting on your behalf," she stated.
Harding, who has a daughter from a previous relationship with actor Jude Law, and Jorginho, who has two children from a prior marriage, share one child together. Her account highlighted the emotional impact on her daughter, who was reportedly unsure if it was even Roan she had seen due to the singer's distinctive costumes.
Broader Context and Online Backlash
This incident has sparked online criticism, including from Rio mayor Eduardo Cavaliere, following Jorginho's post. It also resonates with previous comments by Roan in 2024, when she used TikTok to address "entitled" fans and the need for boundaries between celebrities and their admirers. As a chart-topping artist known for hits like Pink Pony Club and Good Luck, Babe!, and a recipient of multiple Brit Awards and a Grammy, Roan's handling of fan interactions remains under scrutiny.
The debate centres on whether celebrities bear accountability for the actions of their security teams, even if not directly instructed. With both parties presenting conflicting accounts, the situation underscores the challenges of navigating public spaces as a high-profile figure while ensuring respectful treatment of supporters.
