Rihanna Caught Texting During Broadway Play & Twitter Is Losing It - See The Debate!

Was Rihanna out of line for texting during a Broadway show?

It’s a question that’s up for debate (though, any good theatre goer knows phones are a MAJ no-no) after the Fenty Beauty owner was spotted sending messages on her phone while attending Slave Play over the weekend in New York City.

After the sighting, several audience members and critics took to Twitter and condemned the star for her apparent lack of theatre etiquette.

On Sunday, playwright Jeremy O. Harris hopped online and attempted to clear the air about what exactly went down with the Work singer.

In a series of tweets, beginning with the one (below), the 30-year-old creative revealed he held the opening curtain (aka pushed back the start time) because Rihanna had texted him in advance to let him know she was running late.

Two things I learned today about the Type of theatre maker I am:

When my idol texts that she’s running late. I hold the curtain for her.

When my idol texts me during a play I’ve written, I respond. pic.twitter.com/78081zXnje

— Former Broadway Playwright Jeremy O. Harris (@jeremyoharris) September 15, 2019

But, as we noted at the top, quite a few people were bothered by the entertainer’s moves and didn’t seem to care if she was a celebrity. The subtext is pretty clear from a user who complained on “common” audience members’ behalf (below):

https://twitter.com/somedayboy/status/1173628343440293892?s=20

Okay. Before we continue, here’s the thing: Rih is hardly the first celebrity to come under fire for this sort of behavior.

Last December, people were pissed when Kanye West reportedly spent half of his time at The Cher Show on his phone. Back in 2015, Madonna found herself in a similar situation after attending a performance of Hamilton. Actors Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jonathan Groff publicly spoke out about the Queen of Pop’s faux pas and later banned her from attending any further shows.

A fan tried to argue that Harris should adopt the same perspective as Miranda, as seen (below):

https://twitter.com/somedayboy/status/1173318663316889608?s=20

However, Harris clapped back and made it clear he wasn’t interested in “policing anyone’s relationship to watching a play.” See (below):

I respect Lin’s position, I just don’t share it.

I’m not interested in policing anyone’s relationship to watching a play ESPECIALLY someone who isn’t a part of the regular theatregoing crowd.

Moreover, as ppl on this site know I’m famously ambivalent abt phone use in theatre.

— Former Broadway Playwright Jeremy O. Harris (@jeremyoharris) September 15, 2019

The writer also added that he watched from backstage and didn’t have a problem with the artist sending a few messages — especially considering a few of ’em were sent to him!

I watched in the mirror above…I also received the texts. She sent 3 texts randomly throughout the 3 act play. Abt the plah. Which is Lower than my mother’s average

— Former Broadway Playwright Jeremy O. Harris (@jeremyoharris) September 16, 2019

Jeremy also expertly noted a double standard when he retweeted a post about how the curtain had apparently been held when Vice President Mike Pence attended Hamilton. So, there’s that!

In the end, it turns out Drake‘s ex is a “patron saint” who can do no wrong! Sorry, guys…

To dead this weird discourse that has popped up…

The patron saint of the play I wrote is literally a pop star, fashion icon, and Demi-goddess named Rihanna. Her words are all over it. She’s a 9th character in the play.

When Dionysus is coming you hold the curtain. https://t.co/ocYxCjbIkU

— Former Broadway Playwright Jeremy O. Harris (@jeremyoharris) September 15, 2019

Well, there you have it. The entire controversy in a nutshell!

The Grammy-award winner has yet to comment on the situation as she’s busy promoting the release of her makeup line in Seoul, South Korea. Who knows if she’ll even acknowledge it at all!

So, tell us what U think! Perezcious readers, should famous people get a pass for acting this way at shows?