WATCH: Doja Cat speaks out after fan reportedly ‘manhandled' her
Doja Cat has expressed discomfort over a fan grabbing and hugging her, but he says she started it by saying she liked his shirt which he gave to the South African-born star.
Image: Doja Cat Instagram
Doja Cat has found herself at the centre of controversy after a fan reportedly touched her without consent.
Fans eagerly awaiting new music from the Grammy-winning artist are now grappling with the complexities of boundary respect in their interactions with her.
The incident became the talk of social media after a TikTok video featuring the rapper and a fan named Pablo Tamayo began circulating.
In the clip, Tamayo enthusiastically took off his shirt and offered it to Cat, who appeared visibly pleased.
'When Doja Cat likes your shirt, you give her your shirt,' he captioned the video, capturing a moment that many would consider light-hearted enthusiasm.
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However, the mood shifted when Cat took to X to express her discomfort about the situation. In a series of since-deleted posts, she bluntly called out the fan for what she termed "manhandling', asserting that his actions crossed a line.
'Bottom line is I'll smile at you but it doesn't mean I f#ck with you and don't touch me and manhandle me when you don't even f#cken know me. iykyk,' she stated.
Cat elaborated on her feelings, explaining, 'I honestly think I need to stand up for myself at the moment sometimes,' further noting that Tamayo had invaded her personal space without knowing her name, a move she described as 'crazy.'
Despite her discomfort, she acknowledged his pleasant scent but reiterated her unease regarding his proximity and contact.
'I threw that musty ass shirt away btw,' she added.
Doja cat posted and deleted this and I'm gagging so bad like what 😭 pic.twitter.com/2bf1mGY4Ak — NATE (@NATERERUN) June 14, 2025
The fallout from the incident prompted Tamayo to clarify his intentions in a follow-up. Speaking out from his perspective, he expressed regret if his actions made Cat uncomfortable and reassured fans of his admiration for her.
'I just wanna clear this up because it hurts,' he began. 'I love her… she's the one at this event that's being so nice. She pointed out my shirt and said, 'I like that.''
He admitted he should have been more cautious: 'I understand, guys if I was being too nice or whatever. I will take full accountability. I'm gay! I would never want to make her feel uncomfortable.'
Born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, Cat's career skyrocketed in 2018 with her viral hit "Mooo!"
Since then, she has enjoyed a tumultuous yet successful journey in the music industry, marked by both accolades and controversies.
Known for her candid nature, Cat has often embraced an assertive online presence, at times courting criticism for her remarks and associations.
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GET IT MAGAZINE I'm an experienced writer, sub-editor, and media & public relations specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the media industry – across digital, print, TV, and radio. I earned a diploma in Journalism and Print Media from leading institution, Damelin College, with distinctions (Journalism And Print Media, Media Studies, Technical English And Communications, South African Studies, African & International Studies, Technology in Journalism, Journalism II & Practical Journalism). I also hold a qualification in Investigative Journalism from Print Media SA, First Aid Training from St John's Ambulance, as well as certificates in Learning to Write Marketing Copy, Planning a Career in User Experience, and Writing a Compelling Blog Post.
