RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Grammy-winning singer Chappell Roan has responded to allegations made by Brazilian-Italian soccer star Jorginho regarding a troubling incident involving his 11-year-old stepdaughter. The event unfolded at a hotel in Sao Paulo, where Roan was staying ahead of her performance at the Lollapalooza Brazil music festival.
Jorginho Frello, a player for Flamengo, shared his family's experience in a lengthy post on Instagram, detailing how his daughter, recognized Roan while they were having breakfast. In his statement, Jorginho explained that his daughter simply wished to confirm that it was indeed Roan, expressing excitement at the sight of the artist. However, he claimed that a security guard approached their table and addressed his wife and daughter "in an extremely aggressive manner."
Jorginho criticized Roan, suggesting that she did not deserve her fans' adoration following the incident. He further detailed that his daughter did not say anything or ask for anything during the moment that sparked the commotion.
Responding to the accusations on Instagram, Roan clarified that the security guard involved was not part of her personal team and that she did not perceive anyone at her table. She emphasized the importance of not making assumptions about people's intentions, stating, "It’s unfair for security to just assume someone doesn’t have good intentions." Roan added that she does not harbor any dislike for her fans or children.
The incident attracted attention not only on social media but also from political figures. Eduardo Cavaliere, the new mayor of Rio, commented late Saturday, stating that during his tenure, Roan would never perform on Copacabana Beach, unlike other stars such as Madonna and Lady Gaga. He expressed skepticism that Shakira would behave in a similar manner and extended an invitation for Jorginho's daughter to attend Shakira’s upcoming free concert on Rio’s famous beach.
Chappell Roan has made a name for herself in the music industry with hits such as "Good Luck, Babe!," "Red Wine Supernova," and "Hot To Go!" from her 2023 album, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess." She won the Grammy for best new artist earlier in February 2024, surpassing competition from other artists, including Sabrina Carpenter.
Following the heated exchange on social media, Jorginho shared a heartwarming story about his daughter’s reaction upon attending Carpenter’s performance at Lollapalooza, indicating that all was well between the involved parties. He expressed gratitude for the supportive messages received during this controversy.
