Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, first of her name and most talented of her time, is not someone to be played with, period. She's the celebrity of celebrities, beloved by even the most elite in Hollywood. Messing with her in any way means incurring the wrath of the BeyHive, and you really don't want that problem. Just ask Omari Hardwick.
In a now-notorious clip, Hardwick, known for his role as James "Ghost" Fitzpatrick on the STARZ series Power, can be seen approaching Beyoncé at the 2019 NAACP Image Awards. He looks happy to see her, and understandably so—it's Beyoncé!
What's harder to understand are the two awkward kisses he greets her with—one landing painfully close to her mouth. As women, we easily recognize Beyoncé's body language as she's locked in the embrace; many of us have experienced that exact feeling of discomfort at being interacted with in an inappropriate manner.
A respectable handshake would have worked just fine from Omari Hardwick. Women don’t need to be grabbed, hugged and kissed unless its your wife/girlfriend.Beyonce should have slapped him !https://t.co/MqflX03BYUMarch 31, 2019
Twitter reactions to the cringeworthy moment ranged from outrage to pensive sadness:
So this Omari/Beyoncé thing - as a general rule when greeting someone, I keep it at a handshake. Kisses and hugs have to be consensual with BOTH parties.March 31, 2019
I know what Omari Hardwick did to Beyonce with the kisses may seem trivial to some of you, but that's what literally happens when we greet some of your dads, brothers, boyfriends, colleagues and bosses. There are boundaries and he encroached... it's disconcertingMarch 31, 2019
We don't know the extent of the two stars' relationship (they could actually know each other really well), but one Twitter user paints a bigger picture of why the interaction was particularly problematic:
Listen. It's hard enough to get Beyoncé to even attend these events as it is—she has three whole kids now!—so we really would love for her to have a good time when she does step out in to the public eye. She may be one of the most famous celebrities in the world, but just like us, Beyoncé is a person who has the right to her personal space.
General rule of thumb: Keep your hands (and your mouth) to yourself...especially when it comes to Beyoncé. Unless you want the Hive busting down your door.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
-
Katie Holmes Does Outfit Repeating for Spring (Somewhat)
If the actress can re-shop her favorite pieces, then so can everyone.
By India Roby Published
-
Taylor Swift Says 'The Tortured Poets Department' Is the End of Her “Fleeting and Fatalistic” Era
"This period of the author’s life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up," she says.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Who Helped Taylor Swift Write ‘The Tortured Poets Department’? One Co-Writer Speaks Out After Album Release
"We started working on these songs over two years ago and it feels like they have kept us company..."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
The Unstoppable Alia Bhatt
Bollywood’s silver-screen darling is both at the top of her game and just getting started.
By Neha Prakash Published
-
The 30 Best Movies on Hulu Right Now
From 'Fight Club' to '10 Things I Hate About You.'
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
Queen Elizabeth Has Passed Away at 96
After a 70-year reign, the queen passed away at her home in Balmoral, Scotland.
By Jenny Hollander Published
-
The 50 Best '80s Movies
An official roundup of the decade's standout films.
By Quinci LeGardye Last updated
-
Elizabeth Lail and Dustin Milligan Compete in 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The stars of 'Mack & Rita' could barely hold it together during a round of trivia.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
Charli XCX Isn't Here to Appease Anyone
The pop star talks authenticity, her new album, and taking care of herself while on tour.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
What 'Femininity' Means in 2022
Malala, Amanda Gorman, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and more define the word on their own terms.
By Neha Prakash Published
-
Gossiping With DeuxMoi, the Internet's Lady Whistledown
The woman behind social media's "Society Papers" dishes on being the keeper of Hollywood's secrets and names her Diamond of the Season.
By Neha Prakash Published