What Did Kelly Rowland Say During Her Cannes Film Festival Outburst?

Kelly Rowland grabbed attention at Tuesday’s 2024 Cannes Film Festival when she seemed to admonish a female security guard on the red carpet.

Now, a lip-reading expert has shed light on the actress and singer-songwriter’s seemingly tense exchange with the guard.

What started as a fun day as Rowland walked down the red carpet prior to the “Marcello Mio” premiere quickly turned sideways because she got upset. 

According to a lip reader, Jacqui Press, the drama began when the security mentioned above guard stepped on the singer’s dress as she ascended the steps. 

The incident led the guard to apologize to the “Say My Name” hitmaker, to which she replied, “It’s okay.”

However, the change in Rowland’s demeanor came after the guard supposedly said something else to her, prompting her response, “Don’t talk to me like that.”

The “Love By The 10th Date” actress repeatedly exclaimed the phrase as the security guard continued to guide her up the stairs.

The male security guard then approached to inquire about the situation as another woman used her hands to urge Rowland along. Finally, Kelly turned around at the top step and emphasized, “You still don’t talk to me like that!”

Press’ summations seem to align with previous statements from internet users as some of them reached the same conclusion. In the words of one person:

“Don’t talk to me like that. Don’t talk to me like that. You’re not my momma. I told you not to talk to me like that.”

“Do you understand how out of pocket you have to be for Kelly Rowland to have to check you? Literally one of the sweetest people in the world, but don’t get it twisted. What y’all think she said? I think she said ‘don’t talk to me like that, I’m not a child,” another onlooker shared.

Amid the theorizing, an informant spilled the tea to Daily Mail, stating, “The people who are assigned to helping stars walk the red carpet were being aggressive and Kelly was trying to ignore it.”

They added that by the time Rowland reached “the last woman,” she was over being rushed, especially since “she scolded Kelly.”

The source further asserted that the guard allegedly “told her [Rowland] to move when she was trying to wave to fans and help the paparazzi get their shot.”

Rowland’s response comes a few months after she made headlines for abruptly abandoning an appearance on the “Today” show. 

Per The Blast, there were many conversations regarding the cause of the 43-year-old’s exit, with sources indicating that it was due to her dissatisfaction with her dressing room.

In case you missed it, the former Destiny’s Child member was scheduled to join the 8 a.m. segment of “Today” and guest hosted the fourth hour with Hoda Kotb.

However, she withdrew just before she was supposed to be on air, leading Kotb to scramble to find a last-minute replacement. The broadcast journalist ultimately had singer Rita Ora step in to cover for Rowland.

Another source provided a separate angle, claiming that Rowland left the set due to persistent questions about her best friend and singer, Beyoncé. They disclosed:

“Kelly was offended that Savannah repeatedly and aggressively asked her about Beyoncé, rather than focusing on the promotion of Rowland’s new film, ‘Mea Culpa.‘ She and her team were not happy and felt disrespected.”

They also emphasized that despite the story about Rowland not liking her dressing room making headlines, the “Fantasy Football” star “has been on the ‘Today’ show numerous times, and she and her team know the dressing room set up.”

Meanwhile, the green room matter reared its head again when Kotb’s co-host, Jenna Bush Hager — who was unavailable during the drama — returned to the set.

The Blast observed that on her first day back, Hager asked Kotb for an update on what she missed, prompting the 59-year-old to say:

“I just want to say this. I have great love and admiration for Kelly Rowland. I adore her, and I want her to come back on our show, and I want her to host again.”

Hager similarly stressed that Rowland is “welcome anytime,” just before her co-host hinted at the green room speculations. As Kotb pointed out:

“She can share my dressing room! We’ll be in it together! I just want to say that we love her. We’ve loved her on this show for many, many, many years.”