Fox News Faces Backlash After Jesse Watters’ Controversial Appearance in Big Shaq Interview

Fox News is under fire after fans erupted in outrage over the network’s decision to let political commentator Jesse Watters join an interview with British rapper and comedian Michael Dapaah, best known by his stage name Big Shaq. The segment, which aired Sunday evening, was part of a cultural feature intended to spotlight international entertainment figures. However, Watters’ presence — and the nature of his questions — sparked immediate backlash for being offensive, dismissive, and culturally insensitive.

Big Shaq, who rose to global fame with his viral 2017 hit “Man’s Not Hot”, was invited to discuss his comedic career, the evolution of his persona, and his recent work in music and television. Instead of sticking to the tone of lighthearted entertainment and artistic exploration, Watters steered the conversation toward divisive political topics, prompting many viewers to accuse the network of turning a cultural moment into a combative exchange.

One particularly controversial moment came when Watters questioned Big Shaq on whether his viral success had more to do with being “a joke figure” than having actual talent. “Do you think people take you seriously, or is it just because your accent and catchphrases are funny to Americans?” Watters asked. The comment was widely condemned as condescending and tone-deaf.

Later in the segment, Watters pressed Dapaah on social issues in the UK, asking him to comment on immigration and crime statistics in London. Many fans viewed the questioning as an inappropriate pivot, irrelevant to the comedian’s work and clearly outside the scope of what was supposed to be a light, entertainment-based interview.

Social media lit up shortly after the interview aired. The hashtag #RespectBigShaq quickly began trending, with fans from both the UK and the US expressing anger over how the artist was treated on-air.

“Big Shaq was invited to talk about his art and his story, and instead he got blindsided by Jesse Watters trying to turn it into a political interrogation,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Completely unprofessional.”

British television host Clara Amfo also chimed in, tweeting: “This was meant to be a celebration of British comedy and global culture. What we got was Jesse Watters being offensive, again, and Fox News proving they don’t know how to handle guests who don’t fit their usual narrative.”

This isn’t the first time Jesse Watters has faced criticism for culturally insensitive comments. Known for his controversial street segments and racially charged jokes, Watters has long been a polarizing figure in American media. Critics say Fox News knew exactly what to expect from him and chose to include him in the interview anyway.

Media analyst Karen Liu said the move was “clearly a ratings play.” She added, “The network has a history of inserting political tension where it doesn’t belong — in this case, what should’ve been a fun and engaging conversation with a beloved entertainer.”

Fox News released a brief statement Monday defending the interview, claiming that “all of our hosts bring unique perspectives to the table” and that the segment was “edited and approved through normal editorial channels.” The statement did not acknowledge the backlash or address the specific complaints about Watters’ conduct.

Michael Dapaah has not issued a public response, but sources close to the performer say he was “taken aback” by the line of questioning and disappointed in how the interview unfolded.

Fans and cultural commentators are now calling on Fox News to issue an apology to both Big Shaq and his audience. “It was a missed opportunity to have a genuine and joyful conversation,” one viewer wrote. “Instead, it turned into another example of why certain media platforms can’t be trusted with cultural dialogue.”