Whoopi Goldberg surprised ‘The View’ viewers this week when she stormed off the stage during a live program, triggered by the controversy surrounding singer Miranda Lambert, who interrupted one of her recent concerts to chastise music fans for snapping pictures during the act. Of fact, against the wishes of many critics, Whoopi Goldberg walked off as a joke and was not genuinely quitting the program. Videos of Whoopi Goldberg storming off ‘The View’ went viral as the co-hosts disputed the matter with Miranda Lambert, leaving many critics hoping for a subtle moment or three.

For context, Miranda Lambert was in the news because she abruptly ended her set to shout at some fans who wanted selfies of their concert experience. Miranda Lambert’s tickets were most likely more than a few dollars, and it’s not unusual for individuals to take photographs during concerts to post on social media or retain for memories. The co-hosts of ‘The View’ were arguing Miranda Lambert’s position, such as whether she should have stopped the program to shout at people, or if people should take pictures at concerts, and so on. It was a jumbled tangle of ideas that prompted Whoopi to rise up, go towards the audience, and declare, “I’m leaving y’all.”

When it came to addressing Miranda Lambert’s contentious issue, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin sought to appeal to all sides of the debate. Griffin urged that Lambert not call out those who paid good money to see her in concert since it’s embarrassing to them, especially if they’re just snapping selfies and not causing issues for other fans. This is when Whoopi Goldberg comes in, implying that the fans are being impolite by snapping selfies. “They paid for the tickets, they came to see her, so she’s singing,” Whoopi said. [Give] at least a little consideration… Recognize that you can see her [and] that she can see you.”

Another host, Sara Haines, pointed out that the fans who were yelled at by Miranda Lambert were sitting very near to the stage at the time of the selfie incident, but did that imply the famous singer should be shouting at them, halting the concert, and making a commotion? That is debatable, and Sunny Hostin hinted that Miranda Lambert is in the wrong, according to a Page Six piece covering Whoopi Goldberg’s walkout.
Page Six reported Sunny Hostin, who mentioned the cost of VIP seats at the location where Miranda Lambert was chastised for her selfie. “The most expensive seats in the VIP area were $757. If I pay $757, I’ll snap as many selfies as I want, sorry, just me.” That seems a little excessive, yet in defense of the selfie-takers, if I spent that much for any performance, you better believe I’d have a few shots of the event. I’d take as many shots as I wanted for that money, and Miranda Lambert would never criticize me. I’m on the “I paid for this, and I want a photo or two of it” train, but I wouldn’t take selfies all night; there’s a limit and a distinction. Take pictures at the appropriate times, enjoy the performance, and live in the present. Fans may strike a balance to have the finest experience possible without being publicly humiliated by an uptight singer.

This is when things start to get interesting. Sunny Hostin provokes Whoopi Goldberg, who suggests that people “stay home” if they can’t stop taking selfies. Goldberg said that fans should focus on the performance, and Sunny Hostin began to defend her stance in the Miranda Lambert discussion, but that’s when Whoopi Goldberg jumped up and headed towards the live audience, where she took a photo with someone in the audience in an attempt to show her case. But did it actually work? That is all up to you. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW: