Apple executive Eddy Cue is finding himself in hot water with Rihanna fans after Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers last night.
At one point during the game, Cue, who is a longtime Warriors fan, was seen possibly yelling in the direction of singer Rihanna, who is a Cavaliers fan.
Cue, senior vp internet software and services at Apple, oversees the company’s content stores including the iTunes Store and Apple Music. His love of the Warriors is well documented. During the 2016 NBA Finals, Cue was featured on the cover of The San Francisco Chronicle in a now-iconic shot of him and Warriors point guard Stephen Curry celebrating a win.
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Fans quickly tweeted about the interaction:
Anyone else see Eddy Cue @cue say “tell that bitch to sit down” after @rihanna was cheering court side? #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/iwRjjYEqno
— BaerFace (@BaerFace) June 2, 2017
Amazing.
Rihanna bows to LeBron then hits a dab and small waves a Warriors fan telling her to sit down.
pic.twitter.com/q0IyIPIbGK— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) June 2, 2017
Oh cancelling my Apple Music subscription @cue – no one yells at Rihanna, especially not a grown white man telling her to “sit down”
— Eileen Carey (@eileenmcarey) June 2, 2017
@cue I’m never buying anything @Apple @Applesupport related until @rihanna has justice pic.twitter.com/CyMSCe498E
— Faiz (@Faiz_Fenty) June 2, 2017
Following the backlash, Cue explained the interaction, tweeting, “Nothing but love for Rihanna (and KD, too!) As usual, I was excited about our lead and actually talking to Marissa, 8 seats to my right.” He did not clarify which Marissa he was referring to.
Nothing but love for Rihanna (and KD, too!) As usual I was excited about our lead and actually talking to Marissa, 8 seats to my right.
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 2, 2017
After the game, Rihanna was overheard saying, “The King is still King, bitch!” She was presumably referencing the Cavaliers’ LeBron James, whose nickname among fans is King James.
Rihanna: “The King is still King, b—-!” via @rachelnmarcus pic.twitter.com/woA5DDP87y
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 2, 2017
