Actor Omari Hardwick Awkwardly Kissed Beyoncé and Her Fans Went Off
Beyoncé and Jay-Z attended the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, where they earned honors for Entertainer of the Year and the President's Award, respectively.
Actor Omari Hardwick of Power was spotted greeting Beyoncé during the ceremony with an awkward kiss on the cheek that looked very close to her mouth.
Fans spoke out on Twitter, calling the interaction uncomfortable.
On Saturday, Beyoncé and Jay-Z attended the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards to add even more trophies to their ever-growing collection. She earned the honor of Entertainer of the Year while he received the President's Award for his work through the Shawn Carter Foundation for co-founding REFORM Alliance, according to Billboard. As one of the most powerful couples in the entertainment industry (and maybe the country), the Carters ran into a slew of fellow celebrities at the event. However, Bey was caught in an awkward encounter with actor Omari Hardwick, who stars on the Starz TV show Power.
Video from the ceremony shows Hardwick greeting Bey at her seat with kiss on the cheek and a hug. But before he left, he gave her another kiss that landed awkwardly close to her mouth. Bey hasn't publicly responded to the exchange but some fans thought she looked uncomfortable, according to Buzzfeed.
Actor Omari Hardwick is under fire after getting too close for comfort while greeting Beyonce at the NAACP Image Awards ?? pic.twitter.com/ZOahxom3rg
- Pop Crave (@PopCrave) March 31, 2019
After the footage made its rounds on social media, some women spoke out about how it reminded them of their own personal experiences that involved unnecessary and uncomfortable touching from men.
I dont presume to know how Beyonce feels but...ughhh that Omari Hardwick shit reminds me of encounters I've had with some men. Then you dont want to say anything because then people will look at you like you're overreacting, so you just suffer being uncomfortable.
- Larry Fisherman (@D0MXNXQUE) March 31, 2019
There's a man I actively avoid at my church because his hugs are pure harrassment. I'll only shake his hand. Even setting that boundary he will squeeze my hand and try to pull me in for a hug. A literal tug of war with my own hand in the Lord's house ??
- Thicky??Spanish (@lngbeachdispora) April 1, 2019
Of course I didn’t say anything. It was just my shoulder. But the way he did it, talked to my bf about me like I was his possession, and then acted affronted that I wasn’t amused, is just so fucking typical.
- Amanda Lee Myers (@AmandaLeeAP) March 31, 2019
@OmariHardwick 2nd kiss was unnecessary & uncomfortable. Don’t do that again??. We women so often get touched, kissed, groped & poked in instances exactly like this (at an event, at work, etc). WE DON’T LIKE IT. It’s time to no longer let these moments of discomfort slide. (1/3) https://t.co/ezFrdhvBsU
- Farhana (@farhana_io) March 31, 2019
Bey’s face+body language, when Omari Hardwick kissed her BOTH times, is all of us when drunk and/or nasty ass daddies, grandaddies, uncles, deacons and pastors do the same thing.
- Candice Marie Benbow (@CandiceBenbow) 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 disconcerting
- the smell of water (@ohphillia) March 31, 2019
Members of the Beyhive defended the superstar. Some even brought the conversation into Hardwick's Instagram comments.
.@OmariHardwick HAVE SOME RESPECT! Don’t EVERRRRR pull a move like that again while Mr. Knowles is standing right there. pic.twitter.com/l5jig6tDiR
- KB. (@KevinBobby) March 31, 2019
Boy... Omari Hardwick kissing Beyoncé made ME uncomfortable. I can only imagine how she felt after that second one
- Rossi (@RossiSings) March 31, 2019
Went to Omari Hardwick's IG and was not disappointed! ?? pic.twitter.com/4iiV7HhR9F
- KB (@_kenNObarbie_) March 31, 2019
the beyhive is wildin on Omari Hardwick's IG. This one took me out. ?? pic.twitter.com/jSQPCknSyt
- S² (@SbohSibisi) March 31, 2019
- niki (@missjournalism) March 31, 2019
A couple of commenters suggested he should've shook Beyoncé's hand instead.
Omari Hardwick. Take notes. pic.twitter.com/FRki7TAfrN
- xnd (@davidsdubai) March 31, 2019
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 !pic.twitter.com/MqflX03BYU
- Whorfery (@Whorfery) March 31, 2019
Some simply took Hardwick's second kiss an awkward interaction or a mistake.
The video of Omari Hardwick and Beyonce is definitely awkward as hell, but I think that’s it. An awkward interaction. I don’t get what this extra stuff is all about ??
- IMAGINE. OUT NOW! (@_Azryah) March 31, 2019
The fact Omari Hardwick is trending for “kissing” Beyoncé proves that:
1. There are a lot of people with an unhealthy obsession with Beyoncé.
2. Most people, celebrities included, still have awkward interactions with people they admire.
- JAIDUS (@Jaidus_) March 31, 2019
omari hardwick’s comments are in shambles.. tbhhh really dnt even think he meant it, he was just happy to see her.
- Thaddeus C. (@ItsHippyPotter) March 31, 2019
Ppl have way to much time on their hands... this man just was showing #Beyoncé love.. I’m sure he didn’t mean no harm. #OmariHardwick#JayZpic.twitter.com/joO4RIsW2h
- NEQA DA DIVA ?????? (@Thereal1Uniqua) April 1, 2019
Hardwick has not publicly responded to the kiss on social media. He, like the Carters, also went home with a trophy Saturday night after he earned the award for Best Actor in a Drama Series.
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