Jorginho: Chelsea Star Accuses Chappell Roan’s Security of Upsetting Daughter
Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has ignited a social media debate after accusing pop singer Chappell Roan’s security team of causing distress to his 11-year-old stepdaughter in São Paulo, Brazil. The incident, which occurred at a hotel in São Paulo, prompted a public response from both Jorginho and Roan, with the footballer alleging an “extremely aggressive” encounter and the singer expressing sadness over the situation.
Jorginho, currently playing for Flamengo, detailed the events in a series of Instagram posts on Saturday, stating his wife, Catherine Harding and her daughter – the daughter of actor Jude Law – were in Brazil for Roan’s Lollapalooza Brazil performance. According to Jorginho, his stepdaughter, a fan of Roan, briefly saw the singer at breakfast and simply looked to confirm her identity, smiling without approaching or speaking to her. He claimed a security guard then confronted Harding and his daughter, accusing the child of “disrespect” and “harassment,” and threatening to file a complaint with the hotel. Jorginho stated his stepdaughter was left “extremely shaken and cried a lot.”
“What happened next was completely disproportionate,” Jorginho wrote, according to a translation of his Instagram story. “A large security guard came over to their table whereas they were still having breakfast and began speaking in an extremely aggressive manner to both my wife and my daughter, saying that she shouldn’t allow my daughter to ‘disrespect’ or ‘harass’ other people.”
Roan responded to the allegations on Sunday via an Instagram video, stating she was unaware of the incident and that the security guard involved was not part of her personal security detail. She expressed sympathy for the mother and child, saying they “did not deserve that,” but emphasized she had not witnessed the interaction and had not directed anyone to approach them.
“I didn’t even see a woman and child – no one came up to me, no one bothered me,” Roan said in the video. “I was just sitting at breakfast in my hotel… I did not ask the security guard to move up and talk to this mother and child. They did not come up to me. They weren’t doing anything. It’s unfair for security to just assume someone doesn’t have quality intentions when they have no reason to believe [that] because there is no action even taken.”
Prior to Roan’s response, Jorginho acknowledged the challenges of public life, referencing his own experience as a professional footballer with 57 appearances for Italy, including a European Championship win in 2021. But, he maintained that the security guard’s actions were unwarranted. “I understand very well what respect and boundaries are. What happened there was not that. It was just a child admiring someone,” he stated. He also criticized Roan for not appreciating her fans, writing, “Without your fans, you would be nothing. And to the fans, she does not deserve your affection.”
The incident has sparked a wide range of reactions on social media. Rio de Janeiro’s mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere, announced his intention to ban Roan from performing in the city, and invited Jorginho’s daughter to be a guest of honor at the Todo Mundo music festival in May, according to reports. Some social media users have also resurfaced past comments made by Roan regarding fans’ behavior, while others have engaged in lighthearted commentary about the situation.