Neil Diamond Criticized For ‘Creepy’ Moment With Female Fan

A resurfaced video of Neil Diamond performing in 2002 has gone viral on TikTok, and it’s drawing sharp criticism from fans who are calling the moment “creepy” and “uncomfortable.”

The footage, shared by the TikTok account “Oldmansrock,” shows Neil Diamond serenading a female fan from the stage during a concert.

In the clip, the now 84-year-old singer can be seen holding the fan’s hand and singing to her directly as she leans against the edge of the stage. At one point, he kisses her hand, touches her face, and eventually pulls her in for a kiss, holding her face close to his.

While the fan appears to say, “thank you” before returning to her seat, viewers online were quick to express their discomfort, with many calling the interaction “hard to watch and not in a good way.”

Comments flooded in questioning Diamond’s behavior and the optics of the moment.

One user referenced the lyrics of the song Diamond was performing, “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon,” writing, “As if the lyrics aren’t weird enough, now we’re blessed with this.”

The 1967 hit includes lyrics like “I love you so much, can’t count all the ways,” and “Please come take my hand. Girl you’ll be a woman soon. Soon you’ll need a man,” which some commenters felt added to the overall discomfort of the video.

Though the song reached number 10 on the pop charts after its release, its lyrics, paired with Diamond’s onstage interaction, are now being scrutinized under a modern lens.

“It is the arrogance that he believes every woman in the audience fancies him,” one user wrote.

Another commented, “That is possibly the most uncomfortable 30 seconds of my life.”

Others simply said, “Well that was awkward,” and “Soon you’ll need a lawyer.”

“Richard Dawson thinks this is going too far,” someone else said.

“I think I just watched a crime,” one TikTok user commented.

Diamond began writing songs professionally in the early 1960s, penning tunes for other artists while signed to Sunbeam Music and later Bang Records. His big break came in 1966 with his own recording of “Solitary Man,” followed by “Cherry, Cherry,” which established him as a rising solo act.

The 1970s were arguably the most defining period of Diamond’s career. He became known for blending rock, pop, folk, and even gospel influences into powerful storytelling. His albums “Tap Root Manuscript” and “Hot August Night” cemented his superstar status. Songs like “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue,” and “I Am… I Said” became staples on radio and in households across America.

Perhaps most iconic was his 1969 hit “Sweet Caroline,” a song that became an unofficial American anthem and a must-play at sporting events, weddings, and karaoke bars. The track’s singalong chorus and uplifting spirit captured the heart of a nation, further fueling Diamond’s popularity.

Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Diamond continued to tour and release albums, expanding his reach globally. He embraced his role as a showman with dazzling live performances, often donning sequined shirts and commanding massive crowds with ease.

Neil Diamond has been married three times.

His first marriage was to Jaye Posner, his high school sweetheart, in 1963. Jaye was a schoolteacher, and together they had two daughters, Marjorie and Elyn. The couple separated in 1967 and finalized their divorce in 1969.

Shortly after, Neil married his second wife, Marcia Murphey, a production assistant he had met during his rise to fame. They tied the knot in December 1969 and went on to have two sons, Jesse and Micah. Their marriage lasted over two decades, but they eventually divorced in 1995. The divorce was widely publicized, with rumors that it resulted in a settlement of around $150 million, though Neil later downplayed that figure.

In 2012, Neil married Katie McNeil, a music manager and producer who had worked closely with him professionally.

Despite a significant age difference, she is nearly 30 years his junior, the two have shared a strong bond. Katie has been by Neil’s side throughout his later career and has supported him, especially following his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2018.