Pretty much anyone and everyone is talking about what went down at a recent Miranda Lambert concert in Las Vegas.
The “Selfie Heard Around The World” has caused quite the stir, with people divided on whether or not Lambert had the right to say what she did, or if calling the fans out was uncalled for.
If you happened to somehow miss it, here is the video that has gone viral with Lambert calling out the group of women attending her show for being more concerned about taking a picture than the actual concert.
And here’s the thing, the photo op was during a solo, acoustic, intimate moment of her setlist (performing “Tin Man”), not a rowdy song like “Little Red Wagon” where the photo would’ve gone unnoticed.
Nevertheless, the country music singer didn’t hold back on the group of woman, though I will say that they weren’t technically taking a “selfie,” but that is besides the point.
“I’m gonna stop right here for a second, I’m sorry. These girls are worried about their selfie and not listening to the song. It’s pissing me off a little bit.
I don’t like it. At all. We’re here to hear some country music tonight. I’m singing some country damn music.”
More and more information about the incident has come out since it happened, as well as some people digging up other examples of Lambert shutting things-down at her concerts in the past, like the time she popped a beach ball that floated its way up onto the stage.
However, I really think this video context helps show how obnoxious and distracting the picture taking was, and makes me lean towards the side of Miranda just a bit:
And as you very well know, nothing can happen in the world without the “world class” commentary of The View stepping in and giving their thoughts on things. The show aired originally aired in 1997 and has covered pop culture news and other noteworthy items ever since. Almost hard to believe, right?
For better or for worse (worse), Whoopi Goldberg is without a doubt a staple of the show, and their recent conversation about Miranda Lambert’s “Photo-Gate” led the show leader and charismatic personality to get right up and walk off the set.
The members of The View‘s panel, which I used to recognize but now have no idea who they are, were in a heated debate about whether or not the group of women deserved to be able to take the picture during Lambert’s acoustic rendition of “Tin Man,” or if it was disrespectful to take away from the performance with their group picture taking.
Whoopi set up the initial conversation, saying that the internet was “split” on the whole thing as she rolled her eyes, and then Alyssa Farah Griffin got things started:
“I think shame all around, to be honest. I don’t like the culture of ‘you go to concerts to live through your phone’ and not be present and respect the performer. But I also think it’s a little bit of an over the top reaction.
People paid money for those tickets, they want to be there, they are trying to enjoy themselves, don’t embarrass them.”
Whoopi quickly steps right in and fires back, saying:
“No they don’t want to be there. If they paid money for the tickets, they came to see her. So if she’s singing, at least (show) a little respect so that you acknowledge that you can see her, and she can see you too.”
Sunny Hostin came back with a fiery take of her own, taking a stand against Goldberg and those who think the fans should have had their attention solely on Miranda, saying:
“I’m not split on this at all. The expense of tickets in the VIP section that they were in are $757 dollars. I’m (going to) take as many selfies as I want if I paid $757 dollars. I’m sorry, just me.”
Whoopi frankly wasn’t having that excuse, laying down the law and responding:
“You know what? Stay home. If you are going to spend $757 dollars to come to my concert, then give me the respect of watching me while I’m doing my thing, or don’t come.”
Hell yeah Whoopi.
Then in my personal favorite moment of the clip, Sunny Hostin claps back and says:
“Maybe I want to play it again?”
Goldberg absolutely roasts her, hilariously giving this response then getting up out of her seat and walking off the set as the rest of the panel asks where she is going:
“What does that mean?…Turn on the television girl. I’m leaving y’all.”
Goldberg then takes a selfie with an old person in the audience, which sort of undermines her own argument (right?), but the walk off by Whoopi is still legendary.
Take a look:
And a side note for Miranda Lambert: she might want to explore banning phones from her shows like other artists have started to do.