Kelly Rowland was spotted looking rather unimpressed as she walked the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday.
The 42-year-old singer and actress had been attending the event as part of the premiere of Christophe Honoré's comedy Marcello Mio. However, it looked like there were no laughs to be had after the Destiny's Child star appeared to have a run-in with a security guard.
After posing for photos and waving to fans, Rowland made her way into the venue - but before she could make it inside, photos show her gesturing toward a female security guard and looking rather unimpressed.
Speaking to Page Six, lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman has revealed what he believes the singer said to the guard.
At first, the outlet reports that the security guard accidentally stepped on Rowland’s stunning red dress, but the singer shrugged off the mishap, telling her: "Don’t worry".
But then, the tensions suddenly became strained after the security guard appeared to shake her head and say something back.
In response, Rowland turns around and starts pointing her finger at the guard, who continues to keep her hand on and around the singer's shoulder.
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Freeman told Page Six that Rowland told the female staffer: “Don’t talk to me like that. Don’t talk to me like that," before adding: "You’re not my mother. I told you not to talk to me like that.”
A male employee can then be seen rushing to the confrontation in an apparent attempt to defuse the situation.
A source later told the Daily Mail that the quarrel allegedly broke out after the security staff at the event - who were tasked with helping the attendees navigate the packed red carpet - were being "aggressive and Kelly was trying to ignore it".
The source added: “By the time [Rowland] got to the last woman, she had had it because she scolded Kelly and told her to move when she was trying to wave to fans and help the paparazzi get their shot."
Lip reader Jacqui Press also shared what Rowland said to the Mail, agreeing that Rowland said the phrase "Don't talk to me like that" several times.
Representatives for the singer did not respond to Page Six's request for comment.
Nevertheless, after the moment went viral on X, fans were overwhelmingly in support of the Destiny's Child alum, with one person writing: "I like to support workers at events like this but that ‘security’ should be fired… especially for visibly laughing to others at the end after continuously disrespecting that lady?"
A second added: "Just looking at it makes me angry. I couldn't stand having a stranger so close to me. And who doesn't respect my limits. And the little smile."
Others have branded the security guard "French Karen" or "Le Karen".
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