Actor Omari Hardwick crossed paths with Beyonce at Saturday’s NAACP Image Awards. Now, he has become the new target of vicious cyber attacks from the Beyhive, Beyonce’s online diehard fanbase.
Beyonce made several appearances at the 50th NAACP Image Awards, an awards show that highlights the accomplishments of people of color in television, film, music, and literature. Several celebrities lined up to catch up with the Beyonce and Jay Z and snap a pic with the industry power couple. Power actor Omari Hardwick was one of the lucky few to say hi.
Hardwick posed for a picture with Jay Z, then migrated to the seated Beyonce. Hardwick greeted Beyonce with a cheek kiss. But as he parted, the actor went in for a farewell cheek kiss. That’s where things got a little awkward. Beyonce had her head slightly turned, so when Hardwick went in for a peck, he accidentally kissed the corner of her mouth. Beyonce was visibly uncomfortable, but the Beyhive was quick to respond.
Although the kiss seemed unintentional and good-hearted to the average spectator, members of the Beyhive took it as a personal attack. They quickly made their way to Hardwick’s Instagram to issue warnings.
Went to Omari Hardwick's IG and was not disappointed! 😂 pic.twitter.com/4iiV7HhR9F
— mRNA Youngboy (@_kenNObarbie_) March 31, 2019
Omari Hardwick's insta is on 🔥🔥 over that kiss 😂😂😂 🐝🐝🐝 #beyhive pic.twitter.com/tGijioqR5q
— life is good (@_TheNth) March 31, 2019
Other fans brought up a valid separate issue surrounding the kiss, stating it’s disrespectful to kiss a woman without her permission.
https://twitter.com/farhana_io/status/1112256345279848449
A respectable handshake would have worked just fine from Omari Hardwick.
Women don’t need to be grabbed, hugged and kissed unless its your wife/girlfriend.
Beyonce should have slapped him !https://t.co/MqflX03BYU
— Whorfery (@Whorfery) March 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/ohphillia/status/1112228751117570049
All awkward kisses aside, both Beyonce and Omari Hardwick took home an NAACP Image Award Saturday night. Hardwick won for the outstanding actor in a drama series category, while Beyonce won the NAACP’s entertainer of the year trophy.
