Country star Miranda Lambert halted her Las Vegas residency show at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino over the weekend to call out a couple of fans who were preoccupied with taking selfies instead of listening to her perform. The incident occurred during Lambert’s rendition of her hit song “Tin Man,” when she noticed the front-row attendees engrossed in capturing the perfect self-portraits.
Expressing her frustration, Lambert stopped the music and addressed the distracted fans directly. In a video clip of the interaction posted on TMZ, she can be heard saying, “I’m gonna stop right here for a second. These girls are worried about their selfies and not listening to the song. It’s pissing me off a little bit. We’re here to hear some country music tonight. And I’m singing some country damn music.”
The audience responded with loud cheers, showing support for Lambert’s stance. She gestured to the fans, indicating that she wanted the phones put away, and reassured them, saying, “We’re good.” Lambert then asked the crowd, “Shall we start again?” The concert resumed after the brief interruption.
Following the incident, fans took to TikTok to express their opinions on Lambert’s actions. The New York Post reported a split response from viewers.
One TikTok user commented, “Miranda didn’t even talk to our Vegas audience between songs hardly. Always in a mood. Fans can enjoy however they want. They paid.”
Another user agreed, suggesting that the fans might have been capturing memories of the occasion, stating, “But maybe they were taking the selfies or videos to remember the occasion. I think she was out of line.”
However, some TikTok users sided with Lambert, appreciating her desire for the audience to be fully engaged during heartfelt ballads. One fan remarked, “There’s all the time in the world to partake in those activities during her rowdier, more up-tempo numbers, but during her sacred ballads, just shut up and listen. Not exactly asking for much when there’s very few on her setlist.”
Another fan defended Lambert, highlighting the emotional connection fans have with certain songs, stating, “How can you even disrespect ‘Tin Man’ like this? This is one of those songs that have gotten me through the hardest times of my life. Literally. I couldn’t stop crying long enough to even hold my phone if I wanted to.”
DEBATE: Miranda Lambert stopped her concert to scold to fans who were taking selfies while she sang. Were they wrong to take pictures instead of listening to the music? Or their right to enjoy the concert however they want since they paid for it? pic.twitter.com/cTE9VudGeD
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) July 17, 2023
