Babyface responds to disrespectful Grammys red carpet interview, sparks outrage

During the 2025 Grammy Awards, legendary singer and producer Babyface became the center of a viral controversy following an awkward and disrespectful red carpet interview. The moment, which quickly gained attention across social media, featured a brief interaction between Babyface and two Associated Press (AP) journalists, Leslie Ambriz and Krysta Fauria, before the Grammy ceremony.

In the viral video, Ambriz asks Babyface a question, but as he begins his response, Fauria interrupts him to gesture towards singer Chappell Roan, who was walking behind the 13-time Grammy winner. Realizing that the journalists were more interested in talking to Roan, Babyface graciously ends the interview and walks away, visibly taken aback by the sudden shift in focus.

The incident sparked immediate backlash online, with fans and celebrities expressing their outrage at the lack of respect shown to the iconic artist. Among those condemning the journalists' actions were renowned singer Dionne Warwick and reality TV star Khloé Kardashian. Warwick shared her disbelief on Twitter, questioning the treatment of the Grammy-winning artist: “13x Grammy Award winning Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds? Am I seeing this correctly?”

Kardashian also voiced her displeasure, pointing out Babyface’s immense contributions to the music industry. “This is so disrespectful how Babyface was treated in this interview. Babyface has had such a significant impact on the music industry, in sooo many ways,” she wrote. “It’s maddening to see a LEGEND not get the respect and attention they deserve. He is a pioneer and deserves so much better than this.” Kardashian further emphasized the need for respectful behavior, regardless of fame or status.

Following the incident, Fauria offered an apology during the red carpet livestream. “I wanted to say that I’m really sorry about interrupting Babyface earlier,” she said. “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, and I just wanted to say that, I really apologize.”

The Associated Press also issued a formal apology the following morning, acknowledging the mistake. “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,” the statement read.

Despite the apology, the incident left a lasting impression, raising important questions about how established figures in the music industry should be treated with respect and dignity.