Fans criticize Omari Hardwick for kissing Beyonce at NAACP Awards

Omari Hardwick received quite a bit of backlash for greeting Beyoncé with a kiss during the NAACP Image Awards.

Over the weekend, the actor, who hails from Savannah, pecked the singer twice — once on the cheek and once near the mouth.

When video of the exchange surfaced, people criticized Hardwick on social media and debated about how women should be addressed.

Several said Hardwick’s salutation was over the top, calling it “unnecessary” and “disrespectful.”

@OmariHardwick 2nd kiss was unnecessary & uncomfortable. Don’t do that again😡. We women so often get touched, kissed, groped & poked in instances exactly like this (at an event, at work, etc). WE DON’T LIKE IT. It’s time to no longer let these moments of discomfort slide. (1/3) https://t.co/ezFrdhvBsU
— Farhana (@farhana_io) March 31, 2019

We’re not gonna mention how Omari Hardwick gave Beyoncé a kiss and Ghost came back and gave her another one🙄 https://t.co/qV9qlxPve8
— 5’2”&FineToo...🦄 (@_blackisgold_) March 31, 2019

I can’t stop watching the video of Omari hardwick kisding Beyoncé and that second kiss was sooooo uncalled for and disrespectful.
— SpeakingofOzioma🌹 (@DallasEmpire) March 31, 2019

Others said Beyoncé looked uncomfortable after her embrace with Hardwick.

Boy... Omari Hardwick kissing Beyoncé made ME uncomfortable. I can only imagine how she felt after that second one
— Rossi (@RossiSings) March 31, 2019

@OmariHardwick was entirely out of line for kissing Beyoncé like that. She looked disgusted and even before he came up to her she looked uncomfortable.
— ahmyo ☸️🕉 (@reinadevasos) April 1, 2019

Beyonce was so uncomfortable she checked her clothes afterwards......LOL😭
— Tanya Edwards (@mrskedwards) March 31, 2019

Many thought he should have opted for a handshake instead of a kiss.

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 !pic.twitter.com/MqflX03BYU
— Whorfery (@Whorfery) March 31, 2019

Fellas, take this Omari Hardwick with Beyoncé situation and apply it to your interactions with women. Handshakes are the answer. You never know if something you’re doing with the hug and kisses on the cheek will make a woman feel awkward so just don’t do. Save yourself the drama
— Jay Lee (@BigPoppa703) April 1, 2019

Omari Hardwick could’ve gave Beyoncé a smooth church hug or respectful handshake
— SB D 🏂 (@_Russellville) April 1, 2019

And a few believed fans were overreacting and said “awkward” moments even happen with celebrities.

Does @Beyonce look a little uncomfortable after the second kiss? Yes. But reading body language doesn’t always tell a full story. Bey is also notoriously awkward and shy. I also don’t know what personal relationship she may have with #OmariHardwick.

Let’s pump the breaks. https://t.co/beYECXSL47
— Gerren Keith Gaynor (@MrGerrenalist) March 31, 2019

The fact Omari Hardwick is trending for “kissing” Beyoncé proves that:

1. There are a lot of people with an unhealthy obsession with Beyoncé.

2. Most people, celebrities included, still have awkward interactions with people they admire.
— JAIDUS (@Jaidus_) March 31, 2019

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About the Author

Najja Parker

Najja Parker is a writer and online content producer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution