The 2025 Grammy Awards should have been a night of celebration, but an awkward and viral red carpet interview involving Babyface became a major talking point. During a live interview, AP journalist Krysta Fauria abruptly interrupted Babyface to focus on another celebrity passing by, leaving the 13-time Grammy winner visibly stunned. The disrespectful moment sparked outrage on social media, prompting apologies from both Fauria and the Associated Press.
An Interview Gone Wrong
Red carpet interviews are often hectic, but there is an expectation of respect for legendary artists. During Babyface’s interview with AP reporters Leslie Ambriz and Krysta Fauria, the conversation took an unexpected turn when Fauria interrupted him mid-sentence to acknowledge another celebrity, Chappell Roan. This action visibly disappointed Babyface, leading him to end the interview abruptly and walk away.
Online reactions were swift, with many criticizing the blatant disregard for Babyface’s legacy. Social media users pointed out the lack of professionalism and respect shown during the exchange.
Social Media Erupts
The incident gained traction online within minutes. Music legends and fans voiced their frustration, including the iconic Dionne Warwick, who questioned the situation on X (formerly Twitter):
“13x Grammy Award-winning Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds? Am I seeing this correctly?”
Reality star Khloé Kardashian also criticized the moment, insisting Babyface deserved more respect for his decades of groundbreaking contributions to the industry:
“He is a pioneer and deserves so much better than this. With decades of groundbreaking work as a songwriter, producer, and performer, he’s shaped the sound of multiple generations. I love you @babyface.”
She further emphasized that respect should always be paramount, regardless of an artist’s fame level.
The Apology & the AP’s Response
In response to the backlash, Krysta Fauria issued a public apology, acknowledging the mistake:
“I wanted to say that I’m really sorry about 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. And so I just wanted to say that, that I really apologize.”
The Associated Press also issued a formal apology, stating:
“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.”
Despite these apologies, many fans felt that the damage had already been done.
What This Means for Industry Etiquette
This incident sparked a broader conversation about red carpet etiquette and how veteran artists are treated in today’s industry. Some argue that younger reporters prioritize viral moments over showing proper respect to influential figures.
Others believe this highlights a larger issue—an industry increasingly focused on trending artists at the expense of legends. Babyface, whose contributions have shaped generations of music, found himself sidetracked in favor of a new artist, raising concerns about how music journalism prioritizes relevance.
Conclusion: A Lesson in Respect
The 2025 Grammys became yet another reminder of the importance of professional respect in entertainment journalism. Babyface, whose career spans decades of timeless music, deserved an interview reflective of his stature.
While AP’s apology attempts to mend the situation, this moment has ignited a necessary debate on how media should handle industry veterans. The question remains—will this incident spark a change in red carpet etiquette, or will it be another overlooked controversy in entertainment journalism?
Read the full article on The Hollywood Reporter.