A security guard confronted Ada Law, 11, at the Tangara Palace hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil, after she smiled at singer Chappell Roan during breakfast. The guard spoke aggressively to Ada and her mother Catherine Harding, accusing them of harassment and threatening to report them to the hotel, leaving Ada in tears. The incident occurred at the hotel during Lollapalooza Brazil, a major music festival in Sao Paulo where Chappell Roan was performing, adding to the public attention surrounding the event.
The security guard, Pascal Duvier, 53, was working for Sabrina Carpenter, not Chappell Roan, at the time of the incident. Duvier took full responsibility for the interaction, stating it was based on prior events and security risks, and was not on behalf of Chappell Roan. He clarified that he was at the hotel on behalf of another individual and not part of Roan's personal security team, and his actions were not on her behalf, emphasizing his independent decision-making in the situation.
Chappell Roan responded directly to the incident in a video, stating the guard was not her personal security, she did not ask anyone to approach the child, and she was unaware of the incident. Her response aimed to distance herself from the confrontation and clarify her lack of involvement in the aggressive behavior towards the young fan.
Jorginho, a footballer married to Catherine Harding, posted on Instagram about the incident, describing it as disproportionate and upsetting. He detailed that his stepdaughter spotted Roan at the hotel restaurant and smiled at her before sitting down without speaking, and a guard then spoke aggressively to the child and mother, accusing the girl of harassment while she was in tears. In response, Ada and her family boycotted Chappell Roan's concert at Lollapalooza after the incident but attended Sabrina Carpenter's performance, highlighting their selective protest against the singer linked to the guard's actions.
Chappell Roan's representative stated she holds her teams to high standards and has zero tolerance for aggressive behavior towards fans, reinforcing her commitment to fan safety and professional conduct within her entourage.
The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Cavaliere, banned Chappell Roan from performing at the Todo Mundo festival in the city, citing the incident as a factor in the decision and reflecting the political repercussions of the hotel confrontation.
Jorginho Frello is a Brazilian-born soccer player who currently plays for the Italy national team and for Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro. He married Catherine Harding, also known as Cat Cavelli, in 2025, providing context to the family's background and their public profile in the sports and entertainment spheres.
Several unknowns persist following the incident. Pascal Duvier cited information from the hotel, prior events, and security risks as the basis for his judgment call, but the specific prior events or security risks he referred to have not been disclosed. Additionally, the legal or professional status of Pascal Duvier following the incident and his statements is unclear, and it is unknown what actions, if any, the hotel or festival organizers have taken regarding the matter. The response from Sabrina Carpenter or her representatives to the incident involving her security guard also remains unconfirmed, leaving gaps in the accountability and broader implications of the event.