Lil Mama Defends Jumping Up On Stage During Jay Z's VMA Performance
Tyra Banks caught up with rapper Lil Mama and asked her about her controversial stage crashing incident at this year's MTV Video Music Awards. Lil Mama, who jumped on stage during Jay-Z and Alicia Keys "Empire State of Mind" performance, discussed being overwhelmed with emotion during the performance and revealed she has unsuccessfully reached out to both performers.
”I don’t think it was as serious as everyone was trying to make it out to be....When I was sitting in the stands I was very excited and I felt the connection, being from New York, being in Hip Hop...Alicia Keys being from Harlem and Jay Z being from Brooklyn and I was just so emotional. I was really feeling it....I felt like I was being embraced at the time, Jay-Z was bouncing back and I’m feeling like this whole moment is happening but I’m not planning it to be a moment, it just happened.”
Tyra: Didn’t he tap your leg though, like get back?
“But I didn’t feel it....I actually saw the tap tap later and I was embarrassed, I was like ‘Whoa, Jay-Z.’”
How did you know to do pose at end?
L'il Mama: “I’m a dancer, and I definitely felt it. I wasn’t there to ruin the performance, I wasn’t there to bring anyone down or anything down. In that moment I kind of felt it coming so I just went with the flow.”
Have you spoken to them since?
L'il Mama: “No, I haven’t, I have tried, I got management to reach out. I would like to speak to Jay-Z one-on-one, just to see how he felt. I would just love to apologize...It was never my intent to be disrespectful to anyone. I’ve always been a respectful young woman in this industry, people know me for that.”
Tyra: Do you have a message for Alicia?
L'il Mama: “You can tell her that I apologize and I definitely plan to work with both of them in the future and I hope this didn’t rock the boat.”
I have to be honest - I can't believe this is still news. Are you surprised that Tyra Banks dedicated a show to the issue?
32985 points
Am I surprised Tyra Banks is trying, too late, to bring up an issue that was somewhat controversial weeks ago? No, no I am not.
17905 points
Exactly. It always seems like she is a little behind on the issues to me.
35785 points
yea i dont think she will be working with them anytime soon.
80082 points
She's full of crap. Sorry, but you don't hop up there and especially when he backed away from her - that body language was sayin' "get off the stage -this is OUR moment, OUR performance". And yeah..totally don't get why Tyra is talking about it this long later.
149675 points
Lil Mama needs to practice restraint. Many people that go to performances are moved by them, but manage to remain in their seats.
Is anyone sick of seeing Tyra's mug? She's trying to reach Oprah status and the last thing the world needs in another Oprah.
151395 points
I agree with you with both comments. ESPECIALLY Tyra! Her show is ridiculous. She acts like her shows are important and riveting...come on, seriously?
55680 points
Unless you're an adult man at a Morrissey show..
Anyway, I'm glad they stopped broadcasting The Tyra Show here in The Netherlands! Although, I have to admit, I did watch sometimes. I remember texting a friend when Tyra said how much she weighed. My friend replied with: "Yeah, that's just her ego!"
Tyra Banks is one of the most shameless people on TV, nothing is very surprising coming from her.
176150 points
she should have done that to Kanye.
10090 points
that would have been perfect
l'l mama probably asked tyra to do this
1940 points
The funny thing is that no one even cares about what she did, it was all about Kanye & Taylor. Pathetic attempt at some publicity : )
9522 points
I agree this is a nothing story that Tyra did. Nobody cares about it.
Oh, please. This wasn't even news when it happened. Only a couple of people noticed and the was Jay and Alicia. Unlike Kanye, Lil Mama's stunt was more discreet. Somebody getting on stage at the end of a performance isn't as obvious as interrupting a speech.
Lil mama is trash. She might be cute, catchy, whatever. I see that she's brushed up on her English grammar for this interview. She embarrasses me as a black woman. She should've sit her ass DOWN!!
184305 points
ok ..time to move on now
18200 points
For some reason i've never been able to like this woman (Tyra). I watch her show for a couple of minutes and fail miserably. I just can't take it.....
149675 points
Its probably because she's so fake.
Bitch u prolly fake...quit hatin
Am I surprised that Tyra is talking about this so late after the actual event? No, and I commend her. It's amazing that when Kanye (who bores me with his ignorance) disrespected Taylor, that it was all over the news. I was angered by what he did, because he's shown his @ss too many times. I have no issues with his passion but his actions/words often defeat his purpose. As I continued to watch the awards show, I noted what Lil' Mama did and I knew as soon as she did it, she was in the wrong... BUT we hardly heard about her faux pas. Being a white woman in a majority Urban southern environment, I am more conscientious and sensitive to the problem that when a scenario involves a black-on-white conflict, it often overshadows a similar scenario which involves a black-on-black conflict. AND if it's a white-on-black issue - it's rare we hear about it at all, because it's rarely seen as a an issue. I think it's sad that there is still a lot of hidden racism in 2009 - and it's not just in the South and it's just not a black/white challenge. Thus, my point - you had to ask. It's time the issue had some publicity.
Why is her show still running. Who is watching it. We like her but hate her show. We usually do a fast channel skip when we reach her show.
20 points
An ENTIRE show??? are you kidding?
Next time I'm at a concert and 'feeling the momment' I might be moved to do the same... ha ha...
What is the big problem she went on 2 the stage if she was a ordinary person security would of grabbed them and exscorted them of the stage alicia keys oh please no room 2 talk j z oh please they should of took it on the chin as adults she did not p s on any 1 beat up any 1 who cares if i was tyra i would not of dedicated a whole show to it
i think lil mama tries to hard, she had no business going on stage she only made herself look stupid. what she shouldve gone on Tyra for was for her to get some fashion tips on how to dress.
162245 points
controversial? ppl didnt even realize what was happening.
114330 points
I don't think anyone cares.
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