Anita Baker’s recent performance at Houston’s Toyota Center in Texas had the audience split on how to react. Videos surfaced across social media showing the renowned singer getting into an altercation with audience members, leading to divisive opinions online about her onstage behavior.
In one video clip, Baker stops mid-song to call out people in the front row, demanding they stop recording her set, according to TMZ.
There was another instance where she asked security to remove certain individuals from the show altogether.
Baker’s actions led to intense criticism of her performance, which some fans deemed “sloppy” and lacking focus. Some audience members felt Baker concentrated more of her energy on combating slights from the crowd than on delivering a solid show. Others went so far as to accuse her of forgetting her own lyrics because she was distracted by her confrontations with attendees, and found it unacceptable from a star of her caliber.
However, not all feedback was negative. Baker still had supporters praising her singing and stage presence, saying she ultimately performed well. They came to her defense by noting that those who were ejected were behaving inappropriately beforehand, thus provoking the star’s response.
This was not the first time this year that Baker was involved in a spat with fans. The artist also was involved in a feud between Babyface and his followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, according to TMZ.
Meanwhile, the performer is continues her multi-city tour. Following the Houston date, Baker put on a show for a Dallas audience last night and has upcoming California shows on the schedule.
Fans and critics alike are likely to see Baker’s name
come across their screens at some point after her night in Houston. Her latest actions have proven that Anita Baker can keep her name in the spotlight.