Not during Black History Month, y’all! Social media has A LOT to say after two reporters put Babyface in a lil’ awkward position on the 2025 Grammy Awards red carpet. While the cameras were still streaming, Chappell Roan came into view. In response, the reporters cut their interview with the icon short REAL QUICK!
Before the award show was over, social media was tearing into the two reporters after about 4,000 people saw it go down in real-time, and then it went viral! The reporters have since apologized, and Babyface has also released a statement about his time at the Grammys.
Here’s What Happened To Babyface On The Red Carpet
The now-viral clip shows two AP reporters, Krysta Fauria and Leslie Ambriz, speaking to Babyface when Chappell starts walking by. As he began answering Leslie’s question, Krysta leaned back and gave their cameraman the heads-up. Then, before Baby could say anything more than, “It’s interesting because,” she called out, “Chappell,” through her live mic. Twice.
By then, Leslie was seemingly signaling Roan’s team with facial expressions. From that point on, they both seemed to be looking past Babyface. He asked if they wanted to go “do that” and immediately followed with, “Go do that.” He handed the mic back, and the reporter that first cut him off seemingly never said anything else to Babyface. Leslie told him, “I’m so sorry, Babyface,” as he walked off. However, she didn’t miss a beat as Chappell Roan was making her way over. When the singer got to the AP reporters, their energy was amped and ready to go!
Social Media Pops Off Over The Viral Video
From The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section to the reporters’ Instagram profiles, social media is on necks and not letting up. We’re talking about BABYFACE at the Grammys. A quick search of their website will inform you that the man has been nominated for a Grammy 54 times since 1993, and he’s walked away with 12 wins. A successful solo career is one thing. But Babyface has undoubtedly done his BIG ONE with his producing and pen game, especially for some of the greats, from Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, and Boyz II Men to Usher and TLC.
And, did we mention that it’s also Black History Month? Day two, no less! As we warned, fans, music industry peers, including other artists are letting their perspectives fly on the social end.
#1
In TSR’s comment section, Tank wrote: “HEATED right now!! That’s why R&B MONEY needs to be on these red carpets handling the interviews and content for OUR people!..”
The Game also slid in, writing, “Sorry Babyface, [this] is nuts.”
“Ohh nahh! Not disrespecting the legend like this and during BHM 😒,” @joiealexandri clocked!
@jazminerenaemusic wrote, “The interviewer in the black wanted to do that. You can tell she was embarrassed.”
“There’s no amount of clout to disrespect someone ESPECIALLY someone as iconic as BABYFACE,” @deckedoutbeauty added.
@kingikey had a different POV; not a drag! “Ya can’t expect these young ppl to be excited about our legends. lol, that’s like if I was interviewing somebody and Beyoncé walks past… I may leave the damn interview! Being honest.”
@womanthouart also had a different take: “I’m sorry y’all, he is a legend, but they had to grab the opportunity. She is one of the biggest stars out this year.”
@shaquwna_ praised the producer’s composure. She wrote, “..Go do that” .. IKTR! bc don’t have me standing here knowing you want to talk to someone else!!”
#2
Associated Press & Its Reporters Apologize For Babyface Interaction
Neither of the AP reporters, Krysta Fauria or Leslie Ambriz, have addressed the Babyface incident on their personal social media pages. However, unhappy fans have already found their way into each of their Instagram pages, The Shade Room can confirm.
Before the Associated Press dipped from the Grammys red carpet, they both spoke. Krysta first apologized for her behavior during the Babyface interview and explained what was going through her mind at the moment!
“First, I want to say that I’m really sorry for interrupting Babyface earlier. Chappell Roan had come up, and there was a lot of commotion as there is on these carpets, but I’m a big Babyface fan, as are we all,” she said, motioning to her coworkers Leslie and Gary Gerard Hamilton. “So I wanted to say that I really apologize.”
Afterward, Leslie thanked Krysta for being there and agreed that there was a lot going on on the red carpet, including producers in their earpieces. However, she also apologized and took responsibility for not intervening in the moment.
“I really still want to hear Babyface’s answer about women in R&B progressing. I talked to him last year about it. I’m looking forward to interviewing him about it; he’s made a lot of great music and is one of my favorite artists as well. True legend. It’s unfortunate that I was involved. I should’ve done more to stop it, but I’m very happy that he stopped to talk to us in the first place.”
On Monday (Feb. 3), AP took to X with a short statement about the incident with Babyface. The outlet apologized for cutting the interview short and revealed that it reached out to the producer’s rep.
“We are deeply sorry for cutting our interview with Babyface short on our YouTube livestream of the Grammys red carpet. We have apologized to him through his representative and to our viewers on the livestream,” AP stated.
#3
Babyface Shares A Statement With The Shade Room About The Grammys
By the end of the night, Babyface seemed to be unfazed by the encounter with the reporters. When The Shade Room asked about his night at the award show, he shouted out his peers and the energy in reconnecting with them!
“The best part of the night was reconnecting with old friends, meeting new artists, and feeling all the love in the room. That’s what it’s really about. Music is bigger than any one moment. Much love to everyone who won and everyone out here making great music,” Babyface told TSR Social Producer Saràn T.
#4
X Is Letting The Reporters HAVE IT!
Switching over to Black Twitter (yes, it’s actually called X). THAT platform has plenty to say about the decorum of the Associated Press reporters, especially!
