Flavor Flav offers more insight into his run-in with security at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting.
On Wednesday, the “Shake Your Booty” hitmaker, in a since-deleted X post, described his alleged confrontation with security at the annual holiday event. According to his story, he was escorted backstage to greet the Backstreet Boys, between the night's acts, in the group's dressing room. Shortly after arriving, the rapper said he was suddenly informed that host network NBC “doesn't want me in this area and I have to leave.”
Representatives for NBC and the Backstreet Boys did not immediately respond Thursday to The Times' request for comment.
At the same time he was being kicked out, Flavor Flav said that “NBC's social media woman reached out and asked to capture social content.”
“What did I do to NBC or anyone else?” asked. “Everything I do is try to spread joy and love… and I think I did that for NBC at the Olympics.” (Flavor Flavor sponsored the US women's water polo team. at this summer's Olympic Games, and also acts as the sport's official publicity man).
The post was live for less than an hour and was followed by a second in which Flavor Flav said his “spirit was broken.”
“Last night I posted something and quickly deleted it,” he wrote in another post Thursday on unknown. “I felt embarrassed by the language and actions of the security guards.”
The founding member of hip-hop group Public Enemy called the situation “poorly handled” and thanked fans for the support he received after his initial post. He also regretted that rumors related to the alleged incident “devalue everyone's incredible performances and hard work.”
A representative for Flavor Flav similarly told The Times that, aside from Thursday's statement, the rapper “doesn't really want to talk about [the incident] and create negative headlines.”
Ending his post on Thursday, Flavor Flav said he “stayed and watched the Backstreet Boys from the side of the stage just as it started to snow.” He attached footage of the band's performance and called vocalist Howie Dorough “one of the NICEEST guys in the music industry” and his bandmates “very good people.”
Wednesday's production also featured performances by Dan + Shay, Jennifer Hudson and Grammy nominated for best new artist Coco Jones, among others. In addition to acting, Kelly Clarkson hosted for the second year in a row.
