Miranda Lambert Fans Leave After She Publicly Calls Out Concertgoers Who Took Selfies During Her Performance

Jul 20, 2023

Miranda Lambert, the country music icon, found herself at the center of controversy during her highly anticipated “Velvet Rodeo” Las Vegas residency when she abruptly stopped singing mid-show to call out a group of fans for taking selfies. The incident, captured on video and shared on social media, has ignited a heated debate on audience etiquette and the use of smartphones at live performances.

As Lambert began singing her poignant ballad, “Tin Man,” she noticed some female concertgoers engrossed in snapping selfies instead of immersing themselves in the music. Fueled by frustration, the acclaimed singer interrupted the performance and addressed the selfie-takers for not listening to her song. 

The video, posted on TikTok on July 15, 2023, received over 3.3 million views as of press time. However, her public reprimand received mixed reactions from the crowd. While some fans applauded Lambert’s stance against the distraction of technology during live performances, others were taken aback by the public shaming. A few attendees even walked out in protest, expressing their discontent with what the singer did.

Lambert has extended her Las Vegas residency, which kicked off in September 2022, from July to December 2023. She has been performing at sold-out shows at the Zappos Theater of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The series of shows also coincided with the release of her newest album, “Palomino,” but her concert also featured a lot of her past songs and fan favorites. 

The country songstress is best known for her chart-topping songs like “Gunpowder & Lead,” “Kerosene” and “The House that Built Me.” She won Best Country Album at the Grammys for “Platinum,” released in 2014.

One of the fans Lambert called out was Adela Calin, a social media influencer, who came forward to the press to share her perspective. Calin told NBC News that she and her friends had initially attempted to capture a photo before the show, but the lighting was not favorable. 

During the concert, Calin and her friends decided to quickly snap a few pictures to commemorate the occasion. However, Lambert’s unexpected outburst left them feeling humiliated, as if they were disobedient schoolchildren.

On July 16, 2023, Calin took to Instagram to post the photos taken at the concert before the scolding. Admittedly, Calin said they were having a great time, but after the shaming, the vibe did not feel the same anymore.

“I thought, I feel like I’m being back in school and me and my friends did something that annoyed the teacher and she scolded us so she told us to sit down,” the fan said, per Good Morning America. 

The incident quickly gained traction on social media platforms, with opinions sharply divided. Social media users passionately debated the appropriateness of Lambert’s actions, with some asserting that fans should be allowed to enjoy concerts in their own way, while others defended the artist, claiming that emotional ballads like “Tin Man” warrant undivided attention and respect.

“Man no wonder Blake left her,” one fan said in the comments of the viral video, referencing Lambert’s ex-husband, Blake Shelton, and their controversial divorce.

This incident also reignited discussions about disruptive behavior at concerts and the role of technology in live music experiences. It highlights the challenge performers face in maintaining a connection with their audience amid the constant distractions of smartphones and social media.

Lambert’s representatives have remained tight-lipped about the controversy, leaving fans and critics to continue the debate. 

Where do you side in this debate? Do you think the fans were out of line when they took selfies during Miranda Lambert’s performance, or do you agree that the singer was right to call them out? Do you know someone who might be interested in this story? Then tell them all about it!