Kelly Rowland recently addressed her viral encounter with a security employee at Cannes. In an interview with the Associated Press, shared on Instagram, the former Destiny’s Child star defended her actions, highlighting the importance of boundaries. “The woman knows what happened, I know what happened,” Rowland stated. “I have a boundary and I stand by those boundaries and that is it.”

Rowland pointed out that other women on the red carpet, who did not look like her, were not scolded or pushed off. “They didn’t get scolded or pushed off or told to get off,” she noted, emphasizing the unequal treatment she received.

Kelly Rowland Stands Her Ground

Detailing the incident, Rowland explained, “I stood my ground and she felt like she had to stand hers.” At the Tuesday premiere of Marcello Mio at Cannes, Rowland had a tense exchange with an usher who kept touching her arm to hurry her into the theater. Upset by the usher’s disregard for her personal space, Rowland confronted her behavior.

A lip reading expert told Page Six that Rowland appeared to tell the usher, “Don’t talk to me like that. Don’t talk to me like that. You’re not my mother. I told you not to talk to me like that.” Despite Rowland’s companions stepping in to defend her, the usher continued pushing the group up the Palais des Festivals staircase.

Strict Security Measures at Cannes

Strict security on the red carpet at Cannes is not uncommon. With a tight schedule, security often rushes attendees into the theater to ensure films start promptly. Multiple screenings per night require this efficiency. In 2018, Cannes banned selfies on the red carpet to prevent guests from lingering before screenings. Those who violate this rule risk having their phones confiscated or security personnel covering their camera lenses.