Eliminated ‘X Factor’ contestant Honey G was pulled off-air mid-way through a live radio interview, after she was posed a series of awkward questions.
The rapper appeared on BBC Radio 1Xtra following her exit from the ITV talent show on Sunday (27 November) night, but her management brought her chat to an abrupt end when DJ Charlie Sloth quizzed her about her authenticity.
When Charlie broke away from the interview to play a song, Honey G was pulled out of the studio, leaving him to explain the situation to listeners.
“The questions needed to be asked and I tried to do it in as fair a way as I could while keeping it light-hearted and fun,” he said. “Unfortunately, the interview can’t continue, there you go.
“Her manager was like, ‘get out!’. The manager shouted at me. I don’t know why you’re shouting at me, I’m just doing my job!” he explained.
Earlier in the show, Charlie had raised listeners’ concerns about her credibility as a rapper, as well as highlighting speculation that she could be playing a character.
“I think it’s the mannerisms, going from being yourself and just a normal person to like going into character and being Honey G,” he said.
“Like the body language, some of terminology that you use. I think that people feel that you don’t use that in every day life and that’s where the conflict is. I don’t necessarily think it’s a race thing.”
The ‘North Wheezy’ rapper responded: “Okay, understandable. Obviously, I think I’ve picked up street lingo in my life as I’ve grown up on the underground music scene.
“I think I’ve picked up street lingo and it’s been part of my diction, so it’s strange for people to say, ‘Why are you acting like this or why are you speaking like this or why are you doing these mannerisms?’
“It’s something that’s been completely natural for me and that I’ve grown up with, so for someone to start an argument with me over that - it’s really strange for me and it puts me out of my comfort zone a bit.”
Prior to the interview, Honey G had shared her excitement on Twitter, posting a video of herself for fans:
A BBC Radio 1Xtra spokesperson has since addressed the incident, telling the Daily Express: “Charlie Sloth has a reputation for asking tough questions and it’s a shame Honey G wasn’t able to stick around to finish the segment.”