Two Associated Press reporters, Krysta Fauria and Leslie Ambriz , are trending online after facing backlash for cutting off legendary songwriter and record producer Babyface during a red carpet interview at the 2025 Grammy Awards . The incident occurred when they interrupted Babyface mid-sentence to call over singer-lyricist Chappell Roan instead.
Krysta later issued a live apology from the venue, which was shared on Instagram by Hollywood Unlocked . Here’s everything you need to know about the controversy and Krysta Fauria’s role in it.
What Happened During the Red Carpet Interview?
The awkward moment unfolded on Sunday, February 2, during the 67th Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Krysta Fauria and Leslie Ambriz were interviewing Babyface , a 13-time Grammy winner, when things took an unexpected turn.
Two minutes into the conversation, Krysta interrupted Babyface while he was answering one of their questions. She called out Chappell Roan , who had just arrived nearby, saying:
“You guys wanna take that?”
Babyface, noticing the shift in focus, responded graciously:
“Go take that,” before handing over his microphone and leaving the area.
Leslie Ambriz quickly apologized, saying:
“I’m so sorry, Babyface. I’m so sorry.”
Chappell Roan, who was nominated for six awards and went on to win the Best New Artist category, joined them for the interview.
Krysta Fauria’s Live Apology
Following the incident, Krysta Fauria addressed the backlash with a heartfelt apology. In a video shared by Hollywood Unlocked , she said:
“I just wanna say I’m really sorry about interrupting Babyface earlier. Umm, Chappell Roan had come up, and there was a lot of commotion as there is on these carpets. But I’m a big Babyface fan, as are we all, and I just wanted to say that, uh, I really apologize.”
Her apology came after fans and celebrities criticized the reporters for their handling of the situation.
Who Is Krysta Fauria?
Krysta Fauria is an entertainment reporter for the Associated Press (AP) , covering film, TV, and music. According to her bio on the AP website, she began her career as a producer for the outlet in Washington, D.C., shortly after graduating from grad school.
She later moved to Los Angeles to work as a breaking news reporter, focusing on current affairs and politics. Although she briefly left AP to pursue a doctorate, she returned to the publication and has since been covering Hollywood.
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In an August 2024 interview with Shoutout LA, Krysta described her role:
“I bounce around between interviewing folks on the red carpet and bringing people into our Los Angeles studio for more in-depth profiles. I also love writing reviews and features on movies, music, and books.”
Krysta’s passion for media began during her time at her community college newspaper, The Hornet. She is active on Instagram, where she has amassed 48,500 followers as of this writing.
Throughout her career, Krysta has interviewed some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Brad Pitt, Rihanna, Tom Brady, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert Downey Jr.
Fan Reactions and Celebrity Criticism
The incident sparked widespread criticism online, with many calling out the reporters for disrespecting a music legend like Babyface.
Dionne Warwick’s Reaction
Singer, actress, and TV host Dionne Warwick reposted the clip on X (formerly Twitter) with a pointed caption:
“13x Grammy Award winning Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds? Am I seeing this correctly?”
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Khloe Kardashian Slams the Reporters
Reality star Khloe Kardashian also weighed in, slamming the reporters for their treatment of Babyface. In a lengthy post on X, she wrote:
“This is so disrespectful how Babyface was treated in this interview. Babyface has had such a significant impact on the music industry, in sooo many ways. It’s maddening to see a LEGEND not get the respect and attention they deserve. He is a pioneer and deserves so much better than this.”
Khloe continued:
“With decades of groundbreaking work as a songwriter, producer, and performer, he’s shaped the sound of multiple generations. I love you @babyface And I am a forever fan and thankful for all that you have blessed us with. By the way—what a class act you are.”
She added a postscript emphasizing that no one, regardless of their status, should be treated this way:
“Nobody should be treated like this, big or small, old or new, at least in my eyes.”
Khloe concluded by saying the moment could have been handled better and was “wrong” in her opinion. Her post was accompanied by the red carpet video.
Reporters Reflect on the Incident
After the backlash, both Krysta Fauria and Leslie Ambriz reflected on the chaotic nature of the red carpet.
Krysta explained:
“It was fast. It was all at once.”
Leslie added:
“And you know that’s the carpet. That’s the nature of the carpet—things move fast.”
Leslie expressed her hope to hear Babyface’s answer eventually, saying:
“I hope he circles back around, or I’ll have to wait until I get the chance to interview him again.”
Why This Moment Matters
The incident highlights the challenges of working on a busy red carpet, where reporters often face split-second decisions. However, it also underscores the importance of respecting legends like Babyface , whose contributions to the music industry are unparalleled.
While Krysta Fauria’s apology may have helped ease tensions, the backlash serves as a reminder of the public’s expectations for professionalism and courtesy, especially when dealing with iconic figures.