Rapper Kanye West, the possible king of stage etiquette faux pas, issued a public apology to the cast and crew of the Broadway hit play The Cher Show. The apology came after actor Jarrod Spector took a moment to point out West’s behavior.
Spector, who portrays Sonny Bono in the show, reached out to Kanye via Twitter. “Hey @Kanyewest, it’s cool that you’re here, but it’s opening night, and that’s a big deal. If you look up from your phone, we’re putting on a show up here.”
West was holding the hand of his wife, socialite Kim Kardashian, when the couple became caught up in the moment, according to West’s Twitter post.
“The dynamics of Sonny and Cher’s relationship prompted up to grab each other and sing “I Got You Babe.” We have nothing but love for you and appreciation for the energy you’ve put into the show. Please pardon my lack of etiquette.”
Online fans jumped in to defend both sides.
“Watch your own show,” one West supporter tweeted to Spector.
“It’s the actor’s job to grab the attention of the audience,” Twitter user @Kevmcg25 wrote. “If his phone is more interesting than your show…”
Some people that felt West and Kardashian were rude supported Spector by posting images of Patti LuPone, a stage actress that once yanked a phone from an audience member’s hands for a similar offense.
West’s poor etiquette and lack of respect for others was most apparent when he crashed Taylor Swift’s 2009 Video Music Award acceptance speech. The rapper stormed the stage as Swift gave an acceptance speech when she received the award for Best Female Video. West felt that megastar Beyonce was more deserving of the award.
“Yo, Taylor,” West said after he had snatched the microphone. “I’m happy for you, but Beyonce has one of the best videos of all time.”
The rap star exited the stage as quickly as he had come.
