Tiffany Haddish is responding to the growing number of people calling her out for photobombing and “intimidating” Shakira at the MTV Video Music Awards.
“Shakira! Shakira!’ Haddish screamed a number of times, including once when she tried to navigate a crowded room while Shakira posed for selfies, then abruptly left without acknowledging Haddish’s loud screams.
The Girls Trip star photographed Shakira several times as she tried to pose for photographers while collecting her two awards.
It didn’t take long for Haddish’s name to start trending, largely due to the growing backlash when fans accused her of harassing the Latin American singer.
But the comedian hit back on Saturday, telling her critics that she is not bothered by the noise online.
“When people make videos about me or talk about me, good or bad. I just think, ‘Thank you all for making me more famous and relevant,'” she posted on It will never happen.’
Strike back! Tiffany Haddish Responds to the Growing Number of People Calling Her Out for Photobombing and ‘Intimidating’ Shakira at the MTV Video Music Awards; seen in September
Haddish seen with Shakira and Karol G at the ceremony in Newark, New Jersey on Tuesday
Haddish addressed all the backlash for the first time on Friday, where she once again emphasized her celebrity status.
‘I find this sooooo interesting. If you feel like I’ve done a lot, you all better buy @shakira’s new album!’ she wrote.
‘This experience has made me realize how popular I am. I appreciate all your opinions…’
She concluded the tweet with “Thank you Shana Tova,” which means “Happy New Year” in Hebrew.
Basically, Haddish is taking the “all news is good news” approach to explaining away all the haters who criticized her behavior backstage at the VMAs.
“As long as people see me, I’m still important.” I don’t think that’s relevant,” someone shared on
Reaction to her photobombing antics had already begun to mount during the VMAs broadcast with comments like “Um…won’t anyone in that world pull over Tiffany Haddish?” and “Someone needs to put that girl in a timeout like she needs to be stopped.”
As for her new X comment about the comment making her “more famous and relevant,” many users couldn’t agree more.
‘Relevant?!?? Lmfaoooooooo no you’re just being fooled,” summed up what many people were thinking, as did the comment, “All publicity is not good publicity.”
“Girl…I’m sure no one wants to be where you are. It’s sad that you think that. Bless your heart, tink,” another from Haddish
Haddish was not without her supporters who took to X to share kind words.
But the comedian hit back on Saturday, telling her critics that she is not bothered by the noise online
Her take: Haddish first addressed the backlash on Friday, where she again emphasized her celebrity in a tweet
Response: Many people slammed Haddish’s tweet about her critics, making her ‘more famous and relevant’
Don’t have: When videos of Haddish photobombing went viral, people started backlash
Attention Seeker: There were a number of people who wanted the comedian to be ‘stopped’
Abruptly: Haddish abruptly reentered Shakira’s shot as she held her VMA awards
Relevance: Some people thought Haddish got “clowns” through her own actions
Disagree: A number of people disagreed with the motto ‘all publicity is good publicity’
Relevant or not: Many of the people who criticized Haddish disagreed with her use of celebrity in her commentary
‘Keep doing your thing! You are where GOD has placed you!” One fan shared it, while another had a similar thought, writing, “What God has for you is already URS. Let them continue to hate and you continue to love and spread joy. Team Tiff FOREVER. ‘
One of her fans urged her to push through all the negativity and be her own true self.
“The devil is busy, queen. Haters will always HATE because it’s simple and easy,” one supporter wrote. “Continue to thrive, push and make a difference in the lives of those who matter. Ultimately, do what you are proud of. Lots of love Queen.
Pose: Shakira ended up posing with Haddish at one point on the red carpet backstage
Supporters: Haddish was not without her supporters who headed to X to share some kind words
Supporters: Some Haddish supporters pointed out that ‘haters will always hate’
Supporters: A number of people urged the actress and comedian to keep doing what she was doing
Show photobomb: Haddish’s photobombing of Shakira also happened during the awards show itself, including when she posed with Latinx singer Karol G
Collaboration: Shakira ultimately won the award for Best Collaboration with Karol G for TQG, as well as the Video Vanguard Award
Presenter: Haddish attended the VMAs as a presenter for the Best Afrobeats award, which was won by Rema and Selena Gomez for Calm Down
Haddish’s photobombing of Shakira also happened during the awards show itself, with the stand-up comedian sneaking up behind Latinx singer Karol G as she posed with Shakira.
Despite all her loud antics to get Shakira’s attention, and all her photobombing, Shakira ended up posing with Haddish while backstage on the red carpet.
But in another photo, Haddish appears to abruptly appear in Shakira’s shot, holding the two VMAs she won for best collaboration with Karol G for TQG and the Video Vanguard Award.
Haddish attended the VMAs as a presenter for the Best Afrobeats award, which was won by Rema and Selena Gomez for Calm Down.