Jorginho slams singer Chappell Roan after ‘upsetting situation’
Pop singer Chappell Roan has said she “doesn’t hate children” in response to claims by former Chelsea and Arsenal player Jorginho that his family suffered “a deeply upsetting situation” involving his security guard.
Jorginho, who plays for Flamengo, posted an Instagram story on Saturday explaining that his wife and daughter were in Sao Paulo for the Lollapalooza music festival to see headliner Roan, of whom his daughter is a big fan.
The midfielder explained that his wife and daughter were having breakfast at a hotel when they spotted Roan eating at a nearby table and his excited daughter simply walked past her, smiled and returned to her seat.
“A large security guard approached their table while they were still eating breakfast and began speaking extremely aggressively to my wife. [Catherine Harding] and my daughter, saying she should not allow my daughter to ‘disrespect’ or ‘harass’ others,” Jorginho said.
“He even said he would file a complaint against them with the hotel, while my 11-year-old daughter sat there in tears.
“My daughter was extremely shaken and crying a lot.”
The Italy international explained that he too had received a lot of attention during his career and understood respect and boundaries, but it was not an acceptable reaction.
“What happened there wasn’t that. It was just a kid admiring someone,” Jorginho said.
“It’s sad to see this kind of treatment from those who should understand the importance of fans.
“I sincerely hope this serves as a moment of reflection. No one should have to go through this, especially not a child.”
Jorginho also posted on social media: “WITHOUT YOUR FANS, YOU WOULD BE NOTHING. AND TO THE FANS, SHE DOES NOT DESERVE YOUR AFFECTION.”
Roan has since responded with a video explaining his “half the story” after receiving backlash on social media.
“What happened today with a mother and her child who were involved with a security guard who is not my personal security,” Roan said.
“I don’t hate people who are fans of my music. I don’t hate kids. It’s crazy.
“I’m sorry to the mother and child that someone assumed something, that you did something, and if you felt uncomfortable, that makes me really sad. You didn’t deserve this.
“I didn’t even see. I didn’t even see a woman and a child. Nobody came to me. Nobody bothered me.”
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere came to Jorginho’s defense, writing in a post on X that he intended to ban the singer from performing in his city.
