Jorginho Issues Formal Apology to Chappell Roan Over Viral Hotel Incident
Italian soccer star Jorginho has publicly walked back his earlier criticism of pop singer Chappell Roan following a viral incident at a hotel in Brazil that sparked online outrage and a flurry of memes. The 34-year-old midfielder, who plays for Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro, issued a formal clarification stating that Roan was not responsible for the confrontation that left his 11-year-old stepdaughter in tears, calling the situation a "misunderstanding."
From Criticism to Clarification: A Timeline of Events
The drama unfolded last month during Lollapalooza Brazil in Sao Paulo. Jorginho's wife, singer Catherine Harding, and her daughter Ada—Harding's child with actor Jude Law—were having breakfast at their hotel when they spotted Roan, who was in town to perform. According to earlier reports, the interaction began innocently, with Ada recognizing the singer, smiling, and returning to her seat without speaking.
However, Jorginho initially claimed in a March 21 Instagram post that a security guard then approached them "in an extremely aggressive manner," accusing the child of disrespect. At the time, he appeared to blame Roan directly, writing, "It's sad to see this kind of treatment coming from those who should understand the importance of fans," and tagging Roan with the statement, "WITHOUT YOUR FANS, YOU WOULD BE NOTHING."
Backlash and Responses from Roan and Security Guard
That post ignited a firestorm online, with Roan—already a polarizing figure regarding fame and fan interactions—facing significant backlash. In response, Roan posted a video denying any knowledge of the incident, stating, "I do not hate people who are fans of my music. I do not hate children. Like, that is crazy!" She apologized to Harding and Ada, expressing sadness that they felt uncomfortable.
As the story gained momentum on social media, filled with jokes and memes about Roan "hating children," even the mayor of Rio de Janeiro weighed in, condemning the alleged behavior. A few days later, the security guard involved, identified as Pascal Duvier, publicly took responsibility in an Instagram statement on March 25, clarifying that he was not working for Roan at all but for another individual at the hotel.
Jorginho's Latest Statement and Resolution
In his latest Instagram statement, shared with his five million followers, Jorginho admitted his initial reaction came "in the heat of the moment" after hearing his family was approached in what he believed was an intimidating way. "I reacted as any father would," he said, emphasizing that protecting his family remains his top priority.
He revealed that new information changed his understanding of the event, confirming the security guard was representing another artist and not Roan. Additionally, Jorginho noted that Roan reached out privately to Harding, and their teams spoke directly, making it clear that she had no knowledge of the incident and did not ask anyone to approach them. "She was understanding and sympathetic to what happened to our child," he wrote.
In closing, Jorginho called the situation a misunderstanding and expressed relief at setting the record straight, stating, "It's important to me that this is clarified fairly and accurately. I regret the impact this situation has had on Chappell Roan, Catherine, Ada, and our family." The incident, which captivated social media for weeks, now appears resolved as both parties move forward.
