New York news reporter Mario Diaz doesn't recognize the singer at first, shoving her away rather forcefully.
Anything can happen on the streets of New York – especially when there are news cameras involved.
New York’s PIX 11 reporter Mario Diaz learned this the hard way on Friday, when a "fan" encroached on his live shot and went in for a smooch. So why has the clip gone viral? Said "fan" is actually four-time Grammy Award winner Erykah Badu.
The 43-year-old can be spotted in a large, brimmed white hat (she was rocking that style long before Pharrell) smiling cheekily behind Diaz as he reports on Shia LaBeouf's recent arrest. Moments later, she approaches from Diaz’s left and goes in for a kiss. Diaz reacts promptly, shoving Badu away with a curt “excuse me!”
Badu initially denied the shenanigans on Twitter, responding with a simple "nope" when a fan asked about the incident. Later in the day, she owned up to the stunt. "@MarioPIX11 sorry Mario. :-))))"
Diaz replied, posting: "@fatbellybella I get it because...'Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with I just want your extra time and your...kiss.'" And later: "#Btw my wife and 2-year-old were 20 yards away when it happened...She saw the roll up, you putting on hat & everything. After she figured out what really happened she laughed and said, 'Great taste.' Next time I won't do the NYC push back."
On Monday morning, Badu teased a follow-up prank.
"What street u gone b on today? :-)" she tweeted at Diaz.
Watch the clip in the video below.