An Associated Press reporter is under fire after an awkward exchange with Babyface on the 2025 Grammys red carpet last night (Feb. 2).
During AP’s live pre-show coverage, reporters Leslie Ambriz and Krysta Fauria welcomed the living legend, asking him about the recent Los Angeles fires and how music has helped him process his emotions. However, when Ambriz asked about the growing trend of “genre-fusion” in music, Fauria suddenly interrupted him—yelling to grab singer Chappell Roan’s attention.
Seemingly taken aback, Babyface graciously handed back the microphone and encouraged the reporters to focus on Roan instead. “You guys wanna do that? Go do that,” he could be heard saying as he backed away. Ambriz apologized, saying, “I’m so sorry, Babyface.” Meanwhile, Roan, unaware of the abrupt shift, continued on to discuss her Jean Paul Gaultier look with the reporters.
Although Fauria later issued an apology following all of her backlash, supporters of the “Whip Appeal” impresario didn’t let her slide. Dionne Warwick took to X, writing, “Am I seeing this correctly?” before posting the definition of “decorum” and tagging AP.
Khloé Kardashian also weighed in, calling the exchange “so disrespectful.” She praised Babyface’s decades-long influence on the industry, adding, “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.” She concluded with, “big or small, old or new, – you don’t treat people like this. At least not in my eyes. There’s a way to handle this and this was wrong in my opinion.”
Actor Eric West suggested a smoother approach, writing, “They should have introduced Babyface to Chappell Roan for a seamless transition. Super easy to say, ‘Babyface, have you met Chappell?!’”
x/ericxwest
During the end of the news outlet’s red carpet livestream, Fauria took responsibility for the misstep. “I wanted to say that I’m really sorry about interrupting Babyface earlier,” she began. “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 has also issued an official apology. See the statement below.
Despite the controversy, Babyface remained positive. In a statement to USA TODAY, he reflected on the night’s highlights.
“The best part of the night was reconnecting with old friends, meeting new artists, and feeling all the love in the room,” the 65-year-old said in a statement. “That’s what I’ll remember. That’s what it’s really about. Music is bigger than any one moment. Much love to everyone who won and everyone out here making great music.”
Take a look at the unsettling encounter between AP reporters and Babyface above.
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