The Root's Exclusive Interview with Tim Scott : Part 2
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From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments

From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments

Here's a list decoding all the must see pop culture moments of recent times.

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Image for article titled From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments
Photo: Mike Marsland, JC Olivera, Nathan Congleton (Getty Images)

Do you ever wish you could be in the room when your favorite celebrities are chatting it up? Or have you ever thought “Wow, I wish I could read their lips?” Well, now you can!

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Celebrity lip readings have taken over as more people become curious about details surrounding major pop culture events. From Kelly Rowland defending herself at the Cannes Festival to Kanye West’s wife wearing a see through dress at the Grammys, the people clearly want to know what’s going on.

And can we blame them? Even The New York Times has gotten wind of this trend and given light all the professional lip readers on online, especially TikTok, who always spill the tea. It’s important to remember lip readers’ interpretations are just that: interpretations. There’s no way to know 100 percent what these folks said, but you can bet we’ll do our best to figure it out! Take a look.

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2 / 15

Trump and Obama at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral

Trump and Obama at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral

Image for article titled From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments
Photo: ROBERTO SCHMIDT (Getty Images)

In a now viral clip, U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump shared a laugh during President Jimmy Carter’s funeral. “The New York Post spoke with forensic lip reader Jeremy Freeman, who says Trump told Obama that the two needed to ‘find a quiet place’ to talk about ‘a matter of importance.’ According to Freeman, Trump tells Obama, ‘I’ve pulled out of that. It’s the conditions. Can you imagine that?’ and got the 44th President to laugh when he said, ‘and after, I will.’ Freeman wasn’t able to determine what specific issue Trump was talking about, but if we had to guess, maybe Obama was laughing about the fact that Trump wanted to talk about a ‘matter of importance,’” as The Root previously reported.

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3 / 15

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at ‘Wicked’ Premiere

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at ‘Wicked’ Premiere

Image for article titled From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments
Photo: Max Cisotti (Getty Images)

The world watched as Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s friendship blossomed during the “Wicked” press run. Although sometimes uncomfortable, the duo never failed to express their love and admiration for the other. During a green carpet at The Royal Festival Hall, Grande kissed Erivo’s hand. According to Jackie G, Erivo then told her “I love you.”

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4 / 15

Kelly Rowland at the Cannes Festival

Kelly Rowland at the Cannes Festival

Kelly Rowland confronts security guard on Cannes red carpet

Last year, everyone was stunned to see Kelly Rowland go off on an usher during the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. “According to the Daily Mail, Jacqui Press states that after the security guard seemingly stepped on Rowland’s gown, the Destiny’s Child star told them, ‘It’s OK.’ It’s unclear what the security person said to Kelly next, but the ‘Dilemma’ singer clapped back with, ‘Don’t talk to me like that.’ As she heads up the stairs, Kelly turns and repeats herself to the woman. When another guard enters the situation, the Grammy winner lets everyone know one more time, ‘You still don’t talk to me like that!’” as The Root previously reported.

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5 / 15

SZA Gives Taylor Swift a Shoutout During the Grammys

SZA Gives Taylor Swift a Shoutout During the Grammys

Image for article titled From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments
Photo: Sonja Flemming (Getty Images)

While accepting her Grammy for Best R&B Song in 2024, SZA became overwhelmed with emotion until she spotted Taylor Swift in the crowd. “Hi Taylor,” SZA said interrupting her own speech for the moment. After the “Love Galore” singer got off stage, a camera cut to Swift who was clearly overjoyed by SZA’s win. She allegedly turned to her friend sitting down next to her and said “I got a shoutout! I got a shoutout!” according to TikTok lip reader Jackie G.

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6 / 15

Kamala Harris and Biden at the DNC

Kamala Harris and Biden at the DNC

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The 2024 Democratic National Convention was filled with high energy and emotion as former Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her party’s nomination to run for 47th president of the United States. After former President Biden gave a heart warming speech, Harris hugged him and allegedly told him “You made me cry. You made me cry. I love you so much…honestly,” according to @JoeKhalilTV on X.

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7 / 15

The Carters at the Grammys

The Carters at the Grammys

Image for article titled From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments
Photo: JC Olivera (Getty Images)

“While we don’t have audio of what Bey, Jay-Z and Blue Ivy said the moment she won [her Grammy for Album of the Year], deaf lip reader Jackie G has come to the rescue to give us the tea on what they uttered once they learned that Beyonce took home the award. Jackie G suggests Hov first says ‘wow.’ The camera then cuts to Bey who says ‘Oh my god! No it is not!’ Jay then leans in to suggest that his wife adjusts her dress. Blue Ivy then says to her mother, ‘Can I have hug?’ As Bey walks on stage she says, ‘What?!’ before hugging Taylor Swift and accepting her award, saying, ‘You look so beautiful. I love you.’” as The Root previously reported.

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8 / 15

Adele Shows Celine Dion Love

Adele Shows Celine Dion Love

Image for article titled From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments
Photo: Kevin Mazur (Getty Images)

While in the middle of her Las Vegas residency, Adele got the surprise of a lifetime when she found out Celine Dion was in the crowd watching her. “Where is she?” the London singer allegedly asked, according to Jackie G. After finally spotting Dion, Adele stopped singing to run and give her a hug. “They just told me you were here,” she continued. “Thank you for coming to my show. I love you.”

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9 / 15

Ted Cruz’s Daughter Disagrees With Him

Ted Cruz’s Daughter Disagrees With Him

Ted Cruz daughter gestures during Donald Trump comments at father’s victory speech

During his victory speech, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s family smiled and clapped in support... well, everyone except his daughter, Caroline. Apparently, when Cruz told the cheering crowd he “hopes and prays” for Trump’s reelection, she grimaced and told her mother, Heidi, “don’t clap for that,” according to reports. “Sorry, I’m not [clapping]” Caroline continued.

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10 / 15

Obama and Bush at Trump’s Inauguration

Obama and Bush at Trump’s Inauguration

Image for article titled From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments
Photo: Chip Somodevilla (Getty Images)

During Trump’s inauguration ceremony, rivals-turned-besties Obama and former President George W. Bush were spotted whispering to each other. “In a January 20 clip posted to TikTok, Jackie G attempts to break it all down, suggesting Obama first greets other guests nearby with ‘thank you’ and ‘good to see you,’ before leaning over to ask former President George W. Bush, ‘How can we stop what’s happening?’” as The Root previously reported.

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11 / 15

Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the Grammys

Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the Grammys

Image for article titled From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments
Photo: Axelle (Getty Images)

Ye and his wife, Bianca Censori, turned heads at this year’s Grammys red carpet. “Nicola Hickling, the founder and lead analyst at LipReader, told Dailymail.com Kanye allegedly commanded his wife saying, ‘You’re making a scene now.’ After which, Censori appears to nod her head. ‘Make a scene,’ Ye allegedly continued. ‘I’ll say it’ll make so much sense,’ according to the expert. Censori nodded her head again, and that’s when Hickling claims Ye told her ‘Drop it behind you and then turn,’ referring to Censori’s fur coat. The rapper then assured his wife saying ‘I got you,’ according to the expert. Then, Censori allegedly responded saying, ‘Alright let’s go,’ before turning her back to the press and revealing her completely see through dress,” as The Root previously reported.

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12 / 15

Angel Reese Sits Court Side at Knicks Game

Angel Reese Sits Court Side at Knicks Game

Angel Reese pulled up to MSG for Knicks-Nets 🤩

Remember this viral moment of basketball star Angel Reese chatting to a friend during an NBA game? The internet was in a frenzy trying to decode what Reese said. Many online speculated she asked her friend “Why she always in my man’s likes?” But Reese quickly shut down the rumor and emphasized she didn’t have a man... “AT ALL.” Since that theory was debunked, TikTok lip reader Nina Celeste said Reese actually was asking “why is she always telling me to play nice?”

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13 / 15

Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix Promoting ‘Joker’

Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix Promoting ‘Joker’

Image for article titled From SZA to Adele, Juiciest Celeb Lip Reading Moments
Photo: Kate Green (Getty Images)

Last year, audiences were overall disappointed by the sequel to the 2019 box office hit “Joker.” Lady Gaga joined Joaquin Phoenix for “Joker: Folie à Deux,” and during the press run, Jackie G gave her interpretation of several interactions between the co-stars. During the UK Premiere of the film, Phoenix greeted Gaga saying “Hi, how you been?” Apparently the duo hadn’t seen each other in awhile. Phoenix continued telling Gaga “You look amazing, you bad thing. You look beautiful.” That’s when she allegedly returned the compliment saying “Your Converse are cute.” Phoenix responded with “Thanks, doll” before posing with her for a pic.

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14 / 15

Trump Greets Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom

Trump Greets Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom

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Trump and his wife visited California to assess the damage done by the wildfires in January. This was Trump’s first visit to the state since his second inauguration, and he was greeted by Gov. Gavin Newsom. According to this lip reader, Newsom allegedly told the president he had other plans but at the last minute he decided “I just want to come meet the president.” Despite the two men bumping heads in the past, Newsom allegedly thanked Trump for coming and wished him the best of luck in his new term. “I got your back so hopefully you got our backs,” Newsom continued.

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