Chappell Roan made headlines at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, not just for her stunning look and talent, but for standing her ground in a heated moment with a photographer. The 26-year-old singer had a brief but fiery exchange on the black carpet in Elmont, New York, on Wednesday (September 11). A video captured the moment, and it quickly made its rounds online, with fans applauding her for speaking up.
As Roan walked the black carpet, a photographer apparently made a rude comment. According to a video shared by ET, one photographer seemed to have told her to “Shut the f–k up” as her back was turned to the cameras. The moment didn’t go unnoticed by Chappell, who wasn’t going to let the comment slide. She swiftly turned around, pointed at the photographer, and fired back, “You shut the f–k up! Don’t. Not me, b-tch!”
The clip quickly went viral, with fans on social media praising her for standing up for herself in such a bold and unapologetic way. Many were shocked that the photographer would make such a comment in the first place, but even more impressed by how Roan handled the situation with confidence.
Later that evening, Chappell opened up about the incident during a conversation with TikTok star Jake Shane. When asked how she was holding up after the altercation, she candidly admitted, “I’m overwhelmed. This is very overstimulating.” Roan didn’t shy away from expressing how chaotic the experience felt. “I know that some people are so chill with this, but I’m just like, this is whack as hell,” she added, highlighting how overwhelming the pressure of the event can be for artists.
She went on to explain her frustration with the way the photographers were behaving. “Those freaking boys are like yelling my name to take photos, and I’m like, ‘Y’all don’t have to yell.’ Damn,” Chappell continued. Clearly, the atmosphere on the black carpet wasn’t the calm, glamorous experience it often appears to be. For Chappell, the loud demands from photographers added to the stress of the evening. “It’s like, yell at me, and now I’m not gonna look at you if you’re yelling at me.”
