R&B legend Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds has finally addressed the now-viral moment when an Associated Press (AP) reporter abruptly cut him off mid-interview on the GRAMMYs red carpet to acknowledge rising pop star Chappell Roan.

The incident, which took place on February 2, sparked outrage among fans and industry peers, leading to an apology from both the reporter, Krysta Fauria, and the AP. Now, Babyface himself has weighed in on the controversy.

While speaking with Fauria during his GRAMMYs red carpet appearance, Babyface was mid-sentence when she suddenly stopped him to react to Chappell Roan’s arrival. The moment quickly spread across social media, with many calling it a blatant sign of disrespect toward a music icon whose career spans nearly four decades.

As backlash mounted, Fauria attempted to address the situation shortly after, saying, “I wanted to say that I’m really sorry about interrupting Babyface earlier. Chappell Roan had come up, and there was a lot of commotion, as there is on these carpets. I’m a big Babyface fan, as are we all, so I just wanted to say that.”

Despite the apology, fans—including celebrities like Dionne Warwick and Khloé Kardashian—criticized the reporter for failing to show the legendary artist the respect he deserves.

Babyface’s Classy Response

While many expected Babyface to react with frustration, he instead took the high road. Speaking to E! News, he played down the incident, saying with a smile, “How do I feel about that? It’s OK.”

Later, in an official statement to PEOPLE, he elaborated on his feelings, focusing on the positive aspects of the night rather than the controversy.

“The best part of the night was reconnecting with old friends, meeting new artists, and feeling all the love in the room. That’s what I’ll remember. That’s what it’s really about. Music is bigger than any one moment. Much love to everyone who won and everyone out here making great music,” he shared.

His graceful handling of the situation only further cemented his reputation as one of the classiest figures in the music industry. Meanwhile, the debate over how veteran artists are treated in today’s media landscape continues, with many arguing that moments like this highlight a larger issue of respect for musical pioneers.