Cannes under fire as security guard harasses Kelly Rowland, Massiel Taveras AND Yonna

After Rowland's altercation, the same guard was seen verbally confronting Dominican actress Massiel Taveras.


Pop Culture & Art May 26, 2024
Image: Reuters/Instagram

The Cannes 2024 red carpet has been overshadowed by controversy as a security guard's questionable behavior towards several stars has sparked accusations of racism and calls for immediate action.

The issue first made headlines when Kelly Rowland was photographed in a heated exchange with a female security guard at the premiere of "Marcello Mio" on May 21.

(Image: Shutterstock via Daily Mail)

(Image: Shutterstock via Daily Mail)

Rowland later commented on the situation, telling the Associated Press, “There were other women that attended that carpet who did not quite look like me, and they didn’t get scolded or pushed off or told to get off. I stood my ground, and she felt like she had to stand hers, but I stood my ground."

After the altercation involving Rowland, the same security officer was observed attempting to usher Dominican actress Massiel Taveras along the staircase of the Palais des Festivals on May 22, resulting in Taveras pushing back against the guard.

Taveras was seen engaging in a verbal exchange with the guard, who kept her arm raised while trying to direct her up the stairs. After briefly acknowledging fans with a wave, Taveras was once again interrupted by the security guard, who attempted to prompt her to leave the carpet.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Daily Mail (@dailymail)

In the latest development, fans observed that K-pop star Yoona had been blocked by the same security personnel on the May 20 red carpet.

The guard put her hand up in front of Yoona, preventing her from taking pictures. Although Yoona did not engage in an altercation and politely smiled, fans are questioning why the guard wasn't fired after the Rowland incident.

One fan expressed that they felt the security's targeting was racist, writing, “Doing all this to stop women of color from having their own little moment.”

Cannes has not yet responded to the incident, despite numerous calls to remove the female security guard from their team.

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