BBC caller mixes up Pharrell and A$AP Rocky at World Cup final
Guy Mowbray first called Pharrell Williams “AKA Rocky” during BBC’s World Cup final coverage, according to TMZ.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
A celebrity cutaway at the World Cup final turned into an on-air name scramble when BBC commentator Guy Mowbray identified Pharrell Williams as A$AP Rocky, according to TMZ.
The moment came about 15 minutes into Sunday’s Spain vs. Argentina match at MetLife Stadium, TMZ reported, when cameras showed Williams watching from the stands. Mowbray, calling the game for the BBC, tried to name the star and said, “I think that is AKA Rocky,” before correcting the rapper’s name to “A$AP Rocky, sorry.”
The correction fixed the pronunciation, according to TMZ, but not the person on screen. The man shown was Williams, the producer, singer and designer, not Rocky.
A TikTok clip of the broadcast circulated after the match, with users reacting to both parts of the slip: the “AKA Rocky” wording and the fact that Williams had been mistaken for Rihanna’s partner. TMZ reported that Williams, wearing a backward cap and sunglasses, did not appear to notice the mix-up as it happened.
Rocky was also at the final, TMZ reported, seated in the same suite as Rihanna. The outlet said rapper Future and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson were in that suite as well.
A packed celebrity section
The mistaken identity came during a final that drew a long list of famous faces. TMZ reported that President Donald Trump, Tom Cruise, Mick Jagger, Kylie Jenner, Timothée Chalamet and members of the Beckham family were also among the crowd at MetLife Stadium.
With that many celebrities on hand, the broadcast’s quick cutaways carried their own pressure test. This one became a social media talking point because the camera had landed on one music star while the commentary named another.
Williams and Rocky have both been major figures in music and fashion, but the broadcast moment was clear enough for viewers to flag quickly online, according to TMZ. The TikTok post highlighted the gaffe using hashtags tied to A$AP Rocky, the World Cup, New York City and Pharrell Williams.
Spain wins after extra time
On the pitch, Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the World Cup championship, TMZ reported.
Mowbray’s celebrity call drew the viral attention, but TMZ noted the football itself ended with Spain lifting the trophy after the narrow extra-time finish.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.