Florida principal on leave after Fetty Wap lyric falsely attributed to her in school yearbook sparks parent backlash.
- June 2, 2026
AceShowbiz - A principal in Florida has been placed on administrative leave following controversy over a lyric from a Fetty Wap song appearing in the school yearbook.
Katie O'Connell, the principal at Trout Creek Academy located in St. John's County, is currently facing disciplinary review after a line from the New Jersey rapper's hit "Trap Queen" was included in the yearbook and falsely attributed to her. The lyric in question reads, "Everybody hatin', we just call them fans though."
O'Connell has denied approving or authorizing the inclusion of that lyric, stating that it was not part of the final version of the yearbook she reviewed prior to publication. She emphasized that she did not insert the quote nor consent to its placement.
The incident sparked significant backlash from parents, some of whom contacted the school district and media outlets directly without reaching out to the principal for clarification. As a result of the heightened tensions and online harassment she has faced, O'Connell has hired legal representation to assist her during this period.
School district investigators have yet to determine who was responsible for adding the Fetty Wap lyric to the yearbook. Meanwhile, O'Connell's administrative leave will remain in effect through the conclusion of her current contract on June 30.
This situation has drawn attention to the process and oversight involved in yearbook production at the school, raising questions about how unauthorized content was included and attributed to a senior staff member without approval.
The controversy highlights the challenges schools face in maintaining professional standards in their publications while navigating parental concerns and public scrutiny.
This article is based on reporting originally published by Xxlmag.