Chappell Roan
Instagram/Chappell Roan @chappellroan

American pop star Chappell Roan has directly addressed an incident that erupted in Brazil after her security personnel allegedly confronted an 11‑year‑old fan.

In a video, she insisted that she 'did not ask the security guard to talk to this mother and child' and that she does 'not hate children' as a response to fans making fun of the situation, claiming she hates her young fans.

The news came after footballer Jorginho Frello, who played for clubs including Chelsea and Arsenal and now represents Flamengo, shared an emotional Instagram story. He shared that his family was staying at the same hotel as Roan ahead of her scheduled performance, and that Ada had 'woke up incredibly excited,' even making a handmade sign to show her admiration for the singer.

He wrote that after Ada recognised Roan and 'smiled and returned to the table,' a guard approached 'in an extremely aggressive manner,' telling them the girl was disrespectful and could be reported to hotel management. It reportedly left the child 'in tears.'

Roan's comments marked her first public statement since the incident at the Palácio Tangará hotel, which happened on the eve of her Lollapalooza Brasil performance on 21 March 2026—the final stop on her Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things Tour across Europe, North America, and South America.

Star Addresses Controversy With Personal Account

In a video posted from her hotel room, Roan described her perspective of the morning, emphasising how the events unfolded from her view. She began by saying she was 'just sitting at breakfast in my hotel' and had not seen a woman and child approach her at all.

She stressed: 'I did NOT ask the security guard to go up and talk to this mother and child. ... They did not come up to me.'

Roan acknowledged the emotional impact on the family, saying she did not want anyone to feel hurt: 'I am sorry to the mother and child that someone was assuming that you would do something that if you felt uncomfortable. That makes me really sad. You did not deserve that.'

Importantly, Roan made a point of distancing herself from the actions of the guard involved, clarifying shortly and plainly 'The security guard wasn't my personal security.'

Reaction in Brazil

But before Chappell could explain her side of things, the allegations already drew negative reactions, not only because of Jorginho's profile in football but also due to Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere's swift reaction.

Cavaliere posted on social media that Chappell Roan will never perform at Todo Mundo no Rio 'as long as I'm in charge of our city.' In the same post, he cited the incident and compared Roan's behaviour with what he suggested other artists like Shakira would do. He also extended a gesture to the family, saying Jorginho's daughter would be 'the guest of honour from the organisation in May.'

Todo Mundo no Rio is one of Brazil's most high‑profile cultural events, held annually on Copacabana Beach with major international acts, with previous performers like Lady Gaga.

Social Media Divided

Fans defended Roan using her own words from the video, while others were confused about why a security guard who wasn't her personal security was involved. One user asked, 'If they are not her personal security, what were they doing there?' Another quoted Roan saying, 'It's unfair for security to assume someone doesn't have good intentions.'

Critics have also discussed how Roan thanked her crew and security during her Lollapalooza Brasil performance, the same day the incident happened.

The hotel where the incident happened and the organisers of Todo Mundo no Rio have not commented beyond the mayor's statement.

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