Flavor Flav experienced an unexpected and disappointing situation during the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday night, December 4. The iconic hype man of Public Enemy attended this beloved holiday event, only to find himself facing a bizarre incident as he was removed from the Backstreet Boys’ dressing room by NBC security personnel. This unusual occurrence became a hot topic on social media after Flav shared his feelings in a now-deleted tweet, expressing his confusion and frustration regarding the situation he encountered at this festive gathering.

“I feel strange and out of place … I received an invitation to the Rockefeller Tree Lighting tonight and was brought backstage to meet my friends … THE BACKSTREET BOYS … we were enjoying our time in their dressing room when security approached me,” he recounted. “They informed me that @nbc did not want me in this area and insisted that I leave immediately.” His heartfelt statement highlights the unexpected nature of the experience, reflecting how surprising it can be to face such barriers in a festive environment where joy and celebration are expected.

The plot thickened for the 65-year-old rapper when he mentioned that moments after his removal, a representative from the Backstreet Boys’ social media team approached him, asking to capture content for their channels. “What did I ever do to NBC or anyone? All I strive to do is spread joy and love, and I believe I accomplished that for NBC during the Olympics,” he lamented. His words resonate with the idea of being misunderstood in a public space, where the intention to bring happiness can sometimes be overshadowed by corporate decisions.

This comment was particularly significant considering Flavor Flav’s prominent presence during the recent summer Olympics in Paris, which NBC broadcasted extensively. During that time, the network highlighted Flav’s generous contributions, including his financial support for the U.S. Women’s Water Polo team and assistance with rent for discus thrower Veronica Fraley. His enthusiastic support for the U.S. teams as he moved from venue to venue was well-documented, showcasing his dedication to uplifting American athletes. Flav even expressed interest in being an official torchbearer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, emphasizing his commitment to sports and community engagement.

As of the latest updates, there has been no response from NBC regarding the incident, despite Billboard’s request for clarification. Similarly, it appears that the Backstreet Boys have not publicly addressed the situation surrounding Flav’s removal from their dressing room. This lack of communication raises questions about the dynamics at play behind the scenes and the repercussions of such unexpected actions during a widely celebrated and public event.

Although Flav chose to delete his initial post expressing his discontent, he later returned to X to share his feelings, stating, “I deleted the tweet … but my spirit is broken.” Following his expression of disappointment, a fan responded with sympathy, asserting that what happened to him was unjust, suggesting that the Backstreet Boys should have taken a stand on his behalf. Flav reassured them that “they spoke up for me,,, they sure did.” Furthermore, he shared a lively video capturing his enjoyment at the tree lighting ceremony, where he joyfully counted down to the moment, stating, “Christmas in the city … ain’t nothing like the Rockefeller tree lighting,” showcasing his resilient spirit amidst the controversy.

See Flav’s tweets below.