This past weekend, Lollapalooza Brazil took place in São Paulo. Chappell Roan performed as a headliner, but controversy ensued during her time there.
On Saturday, Brazilian footballer Jorge Luiz Frello Filho, more commonly known as Jorginho, posted a lengthy Instagram story targeted at Roan, alleging she sent her security to scold his 11-year-old daughter. In his Instagram story, he claims his family was staying at the same hotel.
During breakfast, his daughter recognized Roan and walked past her table to confirm. When she returned to her own table, a security guard confronted the young girl. Jorginho claimed the security guard “began speaking in an extremely aggressive manner” to his daughter and wife. He also claimed the security guard threatened to file a complaint against them with the hotel.
The story sparked instant outrage directed at Roan. People called her rude, mean and entitled, claiming she was not ready to handle fame. The topic instantly trended on X and made its way to TikTok, where Roan was blasted for her alleged behavior. Fans at her show that night were seen chanting “F--k Flamengo,” a reference to Jorginho's team. Roan responded to the accusations the following Sunday.
On an Instagram story, Roan claims she never saw anyone.
“I didn't even see a woman and a child,” Roan said. “No one came up to me, no one bothered me. I was just sitting at breakfast in my hotel. I did not ask the security guard to go up and talk to this mother and child. I did not.”
She also went on to share that she felt bad for the mother and daughter, and condemned the security for taking those measures. Roan reiterated that she did not call for the situation to occur. She also stated she does not hate her fans or children.
Later on in the day, Catherine Harding, the wife of Jorginho, shared her side of the story. She claims that the security was not the security associated with the hotel, and if it wasn’t Roan’s personal security, it was security that looked over the artists in general. Harding said Roan’s responsibility as an artist is “to make sure the people who work for you and act on your behalf are acting on your behalf.”
Harding then went on to recount the events, saying her daughter noticed Roan eating breakfast, asked her mother if that was her, and then walked past Roan to confirm. She then returned to Harding and said she could not tell if it was, but thought it was. They then continued eating breakfast and were scolded by a security guard.
Throughout the message, Harding says even if Roan did not send the security, she should still take responsibility for what they do on her behalf, whether they’re general artist security or her personal security.
Social media has been debating the situation. Some say Roan is known to be rude because of her past interaction with paparazzi. They also brought up her past attitudes around her being approached by "creepy fans.” Others showed videos of Roan being kind to fans that weekend and letting them bypass security to take pictures.
Some people sided with Jorginho and Harding, adding that they had no reason to lie and that Roan is only “backtracking” because the girl’s parents were famous. Others condemned them for not reaching out to Roan personally about the situation or contacting the hotel management, for being entitledcelebrity parents, and for acting recklessly out of emotion. Harding’s response also called attention to the fact that Jorginho was not present during the situation.
Harding was also called out for liking weird comments, while some dug up Harding and Jorginho’s past scandals. These included an instance where Harding showed up at Jorginho’s ex’s house at 11:30 p.m. to about Jorginho and a cheating scandal between Jorginho and Elisa Scalcon, which broke up a four-year relationship.
Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Cavaliere, who took office Friday, banned Roan from performing in the "Todo Mundo no Rio" festival in an X post. This also caused discourse, with people saying his priorities were not in order and that these levels of repercussion are not brought on alleged rapists in the football community.
Fans also say Roan liked an Instagram video in her defense, which also discussed the way people on the internet dehumanize others.
@dawne.pg (IG)
