Beyoncé and Solange’s Mom Just Quit Social Media After Accidentally Throwing Shade at Jennifer Hudson
Social media can be hard. Especially when you’re less than technologically inclined (although our tips for building a loyal fan base can certainly help!). Just ask Tina Knowles Lawson. Beyoncé and Solange’s mom had a bit of a #SocialMediaFail this week when she made a move that many perceived to be full of shade aimed at one Miss Jennifer Hudson.
Apparently, the trouble occurred when someone posted a video of a Dream Girls duet between Jennifer Hudson and Queen B.
Because social media, someone inevitably commented something mean, saying “JHud sounds horrible.” While it could’ve easily been written off as one person’s not-so-nice opinion, an unsuspecting Tina apparently fell victim to Instagram’s new feature, which allows you to “like” a comment, giving the negative feedback the ol’ thumbs up.
View this post on InstagramOh hey #TinaKnowlesLawson 👀 Slip of the finger?
A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on
Someone took a screen-shot of the perceived shade, and it was all over from there — surely, fans thought, it was an intentional low-blow at Jennifer? Not the case, says Tina, who took to her own page to issue a statement.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinalawson) on
Sharing a video of herself enjoying a California sunset, she said, “Just clowning around with my buddy Kaleb and having fun. I am writing this commentary for Jennifer Hudson and not for the evil mean people that are making this into a social media ugly thing. I’ve known Jennifer Hudson for many years and have totally been in admiration of her talent and beauty and kindness. I would never say anything negative about her or agree with anything negative!”
She then admitted that Beyoncé and Solange worried that something of this nature might happen someday, saying, “My children worried that I might accidentally touch something when looking at other sites and have warned me about it. They always say that I am not that great on social media, I have to be careful. And somehow, maybe I touched a button, but the truth is I was on my Instagram and someone commented on Beyoncé (positive, by the way), and I went to look at their site, and saw some good videos and performances of Beyoncé. I came across the video of her and Jennifer (which I totally enjoyed) and I was looking at them, I didn’t even look at the comments or what people were saying till just now. I absolutely would not have touched a like or dislike on one of these sites. I think if you look through my Instagram, you’ll see that I am not a hater, and I am not negative about people. To Jennifer, for my mistake of accidentally touching it, which I don’t remember doing, I really apologize, I totally love and admire you. And I’d have to be pretty stupid to do that knowing it would be everywhere. I will be taking a break from social media, as this is the bad side of it. There are people who make their living off of negativity.”
The original poster of the video also came to Mama Knowles-Lawson’s defense, turning off the comments to the video and writing, “Mama Tina liked the comment ON ACCIDENT, and she has stated so. Mama T would never on purpose. Go get y’all lives. No shade was intended. D*mn.”
We totally feel for you, Tina. We mean, how many times have we collectively “liked” a pic by a boyfriend’s old GF by mistake, or worse, an ex or a boss, that sent us into a cringe spiral of shame? It happens to even the best of ‘Grammers, so we can see how this could have easily happened.
Then again… maybe not? Jennifer may not have been readily convinced, sharing a cryptic resolution to her own page.
View this post on InstagramGetting started on my New Years resolution list , hmmm let's see....
A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on
“Getting started on my New Year’s resolution list, hmmm let’s see…” she wrote.
Oof! While it’s entirely possible she meant the post as a simple reminder to herself or to haters in general, the timing does seem rather suspect.
Perhaps it’s for the best that Tina’s taking a break!
Do you think Tina’s like was accidental? Tell us over @BritandCo.
(h/t Marie Claire, photo via Alberto E. Rodriguez + Paras Griffin/Getty)