A decades-old video of Beyoncé is going viral on social media as fans come to her defense: in the clip, a much older producer tells Beyoncé she can sit on his lap for a phone call with Michael Jackson, who she was collaborating with at the time. Users now are calling out the producer and the music industry in general for the “appalling” behavior. Keep reading for more information.
Beyoncé Told To Sit On Producer’s Lap In Resurfaced Video
The clip in question was part of an unaired reality TV show that F. Marc Schaffel produced in 2001. The very same is the producer in the video, who was in his thirties at the time clip was recorded. Beyoncé was just 19 years old.
In the video, Beyoncé is in a studio recording vocals for Michael Jackson’s charity single, “What More Can I Give.” Beyoncé stands at a table while Schaffel, seated, grabs his phone. “Alright, here we go,” Schaffel says as he dial’s Michael Jackson’s phone number. “Come on over here,” he says to Beyoncé.
“You wanna make this easier you can sit on my lap,” he says, patting his thigh as Beyoncé walks over. After she sits down, Jackson picks up the phone and Schaffel says, “We’re in the studio and I have Beyoncé sitting on my lap.” At this, the singer visibly cringes.
Social Media Reactions
Across social media platforms, users are reacting with horror at the way young Beyoncé was treated. “Glad these videos are showing up now for the world to see,” one user wrote on Instagram. “Absolutely appalling behavior from the producer. This is what has become normalized across the entertainment industry and it’s NOT normal nor appropriate. The fact everyone around didn’t even flinch either. Awareness is key.”
“These guys are experts at manipulation and it’s so normalized,” another person agreed.
“The industry is so predatory,” said a third. “I hate this!”
“I hate that for her,” another comment reads. “No telling what else she had to deal with.”
“This made me so uncomfortable,” added another.
“Making her sit on his lap is wild!” one user wrote.
“Ummm this is weird,” a final user posted.
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Social Media Reactions
Across social media platforms, users are reacting with horror at the way young Beyoncé was treated. "Glad these videos are showing up now for the world to see," one user wrote on Instagram. "Absolutely appalling behavior from the producer. This is what has become normalized across the entertainment industry and it’s NOT normal nor appropriate. The fact everyone around didn’t even flinch either. Awareness is key."
"These guys are experts at manipulation and it’s so normalized," another person agreed.
"The industry is so predatory," said a third. "I hate this!"
"I hate that for her," another comment reads. "No telling what else she had to deal with."
"This made me so uncomfortable," added another.
"Making her sit on his lap is wild!" one user wrote.
"Ummm this is weird," a final user posted.
