Photo: BEImages/Jim Smeal.
There's a new epidemic in Hollywood, and no, we're not talking about cold-pressed juice. The Ukrainian guerrilla journalist Vitalii Sediuk has been targeting celebrities on red carpets around the world, and his latest victim might end up being his last.
During Wednesday's Maleficent premiere at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre, Sediuk jumped over the barriers and attacked Brad Pitt while the actor was signing autographs for fans. The severity of the attack remains unclear, but it's being reported that Sediuk made direct contact with Pitt's face. The assailant was quickly hauled off to the Hollywood police station, where he's being held on $20,000 bail. The actor appeared to be okay, and after a 15-minute hiatus, Pitt returned to the carpet but did not do any press.
Trolls masquerading as journalists have been a red-carpet mainstay since Stuttering John popularized the bit on The Howard Stern Show in the '90s. Most of the time, however, they ask celebrities questions aimed at making them feel uncomfortable and are relatively harmless. Sediuk's brand of stunt journalism is far more aggressive and way less funny.
Just last week, Sediuk reached a new level of gross when he infiltrated the Cannes red carpet and stuck his head under America Ferrera's dress. In the past, he's also attempted to kiss Will Smith, grope Bradley Cooper, and grab Leonardo DiCaprio. It's the kind of humor that relies on shock instead of wit, and after Wednesday's attack, Sediuk may never be allowed near a red carpet again. Good riddance. (Us Weekly)