Usher and Chris Brown recently kicked off their joint “R&B Tour,” and it already led to a viral moment. The former invited a fan onstage for one of his signature crowd interactions, but the exchange quickly caught the internet’s attention after the woman appeared noticeably stiff.
The fan, who faced backlash over her awkward behavior, has spoken out and admitted she would have been more enthusiastic if the encounter had been with Brown.
A woman identified as Gabrielle Cheyenne became the subject of a viral video after her awkward onstage encounter with Usher. The singer is known for pulling fans onstage to serenade them and give them steamy encounters, but Gabrielle wasn’t having it, as reported by The Blast.
During the segment, the woman looked visibly awkward, prompting Usher to address the situation. Looking at the audience, he said, “I don’t think she wants to be on the stage.”
Gabrielle received online backlash, with many asking why she agreed to participate if she was not into it. In an interview with TMZ, Gabrielle said she wasn’t aware she was going to be brought up for Usher’s performance.
“It’s nothing against Usher or anything like that, but I’m more of a Chris Brown fan than I am of Usher,” she explained, adding that if the interaction had been with Brown, there wouldn’t be any “stiffness” on her part.
The Fan Was Upgraded To The VIP Section
Gabrielle attended the concert with some family members and said she was approached to be upgraded to the VIP section. She claims she wasn’t given instructions on what was going to happen, only that there was a possibility she would be brought up. It was only confirmed when she was about to be called.
During the performance of “Can U Handle It?” Gabrielle sat on a bed while a shirtless Usher made sensual moves while slowly leaning over her. As he leaned in, however, the fan leaned back, appearing hesitant to play along. He then walked away and gestured for Gabrielle to be taken off the stage.
Some roasted Usher, saying his ego was bruised. Others commended the fan for having “self-respect.” Some, however, blamed her for ruining the moment.
Gabrielle Cheyenne Clapped Back At Her Haters
Following the backlash, Gabrielle took to Facebook and addressed her online haters, writing that no one would decline an invitation to go on stage. “I looked good asf, you thought I wasn’t gonna let THOUSANDS of people see me??” She then said that she and her mom were moved from floor seats to the VIP section before the concert began. “PRETTY PRIVILEGES something you h-es will never know about!!” she clapped back.
She said as much on the TMZ interview, asking, “Why would I decline that?” As for her Facebook tirade, she said it was specifically addressed to the people of Chattanooga, where she’s from. Gabrielle claimed many of the haters who went “ballistic” on her were from her city, whom she described as “crabs in a bucket.”
The Fan Had A Photo With Usher’s Wife
Gabrielle’s mother and aunt joined the conversation and defended her. Her mother took to Facebook to say her daughter is a “respectable young lady,” and they are “unbothered” by the comments.
Her aunt, Tia Byrd, who was also at the concert, also made several posts on Facebook. “She was bad enough to be chosen and that man is literally half her age,” she wrote. Byrd also shed light on what happened after the awkward stage encounter, saying Gabrielle had a conversation with Usher’s wife, Jennifer Goicoechea, and all was well.
Byrd also posted a photo of Goicoechea and Gabrielle together, writing, “Usher’s WIFE & Gabrielle Cheyenne AFTER THE STAGE APPEARANCE!! YA’LL SHE AIN’T MAD SO Y TF YA’LL Mad!?”
Usher has not publicly responded to the viral moment.
Usher And Chris Brown Are On Tour Until The End Of The Year
Ahead of the tour, Usher discussed the collaboration with Brown and how they admire each other. “When we run through the show, I look over and I see Chris standing up doing my portion and dancing. When it would be my time, I’d be standing up rooting him on,” the singer said.
Usher and Chris Brown are co-headlining the R&B Tour, which will run until the end of the year. The shows are expected to run for about three hours, with each artist taking the stage to perform songs from their respective careers. The two also perform their collaborative hits together.