Any incident involving security personnel at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival

A security guard at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival is making headlines for her interactions with various celebrities on the red carpet – and many suspect that skin color may have played a role in the incidents.

Kelly Rowland took part in the Marcello Mio film premiere on May 21, and videos circulating on social media showed two security guards escorting her up the stairs of the Palais des Festivals. The security woman mentioned above was one of the ushers on the red carpet with Rowland and put her hand behind the singer’s back as she walked up the stairs, turned around and waved to fans.

As the second security guard appeared to walk away, a visibly frustrated Rowland turned around and said something to the security guard, who continued to keep her arm raised.

“There were other women on the carpet who didn’t look quite like me, and they weren’t insulted, pushed down, or told to get off. I stood my ground, and she felt she had to make her point,” Rowland told the Related Press Days after the now viral moment on the red carpet. “But I stood firm.”

Related: The best fashion on the red carpet of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival

The stars are shining bright like diamonds at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France. The big event, which is considered the most prestigious film meeting, began on Tuesday, May 14th and is scheduled to last until Saturday, May 25th. The festival shows new films of all genres from all over the world (…)

As Cannes continued in the days that followed, eagle-eyed fans shared videos of the same security guard interacting with other stars.

“That security guard at Cannes is crazy,” wrote one X-user. “Because even if the rules are ‘go in, get her off the stairs’, you’re now making the whole festival look bad by fighting with guests and having FOUR altercations with people. Let her take a photo and get her in.”

Keep scrolling to learn details about the Cannes security guard and her various interactions:

Yoona

K-pop stars online were quick to defend singer Yoona after the musician had a similar experience with the same security guard in Cannes on May 19. The guard had her arm outstretched in front of Yoona as she waved to fans. The singer looked down at the guard’s arm before continuing up the stairs.

Kelly Rowland

Rowland’s incident with the security guard occurred on May 21 in Marcello Mio Premiere.

“The woman knows what happened, I know what happened,” said Rowland AP Entertainment on May 23. “I have a limit and I stand by that limit, and that’s all.”

Sawa Pontyska

The Miss Europe 2023 winner shared a video of her interaction with the security guard on TikTok on May 21. During the Marcello Mio At the premiere, Pontyjska is seen posing for photos at the top of the stairs while the same security guard tries to drag the model inside.

@pontyjska

Sava Pontyjska, premiere of “Marcelo Mio” in Cannes

♬ Music video – Monrote

On May 30, Pontyjska announced she was suing the Cannes Film Festival, sharing photos of court documents on TikTok. The BBC confirmed that she is suing for “physical assault and psychological harm” and is seeking 100,000 euros ($108,769.50) in damages.

Massiel Taveras

The former Miss Dominican Republic took part in the The Count of Monte Cristo Premiere on 22 May in a Giannina Azar Dress with a 15-foot-long train adorned with a portrait of Jesus Christ. As she climbed the same staircase, Taveras attempted to spread the dress’s train for a photograph.

As Taveras attempted to pose for photos, she asked the ushers to step back, and the same security guard walked behind the actress with her arm raised. Eventually, the security guard put her arm around Taveras’ shoulders to escort her into the theater. Taveras shoved the guard, according to video footage of the moment.

“I want to thank you all for this incredible support. Today more than ever we need to stick together, support each other, protect our souls, have strong boundaries and stand up for our rights,” Taveras shared on Instagram Stories on May 27, responding to her incident with the woman. The actress further asked her followers to send Rowland “love and respect,” calling the singer “a pure soul, a talented, elegant, educated woman of color who represents all of America with respect.”

Taveras also praised how Rowland handled the situation with the security guard.

“I didn’t know this happened to you first. I was very impressed with how calm and classy you were because in my case I was fed up with the abuse,” she continued. “BLACK WOMEN MATTER – we will not stay silent in situations like this, we need respect, that’s enough. I hug you queen #kellyrowland.”