Kelly Rowland, a former member of the renowned girl group Destiny's Child, made headlines at the glamorous Tuesday premiere of "Marcello Mio" at Cannes Film Festival when she confronted an usher over what she deemed as mistreatment. As she ascended the stairs of the Palais des Festivals, the singer was hurriedly escorted by the staffer, prompting a tense encounter.
In a candid interview with the Associated Press, Rowland clarified the viral incident, standing firmly behind her decision to speak out against the alleged misbehavior. "The woman knows what happened, I know what happened," she declared. "I have boundaries, and I stand by those boundaries, and that's it."
The singer emphasized the unfairness of the situation, noting that other women attending the red carpet, who perhaps didn't fit the stereotype of her appearance, were not treated with the same scrutiny or hostility. She was clearly angered by the usher's repeated touching of her arm as she was hurriedly ushered into the theater.
Rowland delved deeper into the encounter, explaining that she stood her ground, refusing to be pushed or scolded. "I stood my ground, and she felt like she had to stand hers," she said.
During the tense exchange, a lip-reading expert told Page Six that Rowland appeared to rebuke the usher, saying, "Don't talk to me like that. Don't talk to me like that. You're not my mother. I told you not to talk to me like that." Despite the singer's assertiveness, the usher refused to relent, prompting Rowland's companions to step in and defend her. However, the staffer persisted, urging the group up the staircase with determination.
It's not uncommon for red carpet security at Cannes to be strict, as the festival operates on a tight schedule. Security personnel often rush attendees into the theater to ensure that screenings start promptly, with multiple events taking place each night. In fact, in 2018, Cannes banned selfies on the red carpet to discourage guests from lingering and delaying the start of screenings. Those who violate this rule often find their phones confiscated or have their camera lenses covered by security personnel.
Rowland's encounter, however, highlights the importance of respecting personal boundaries, even in the hustle and bustle of a high-profile event like the Cannes Film Festival. Her bold stance serves as a reminder that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their fame or status.
