As I delve deeper into the lives of these extraordinary women, Jodie Comer and Jennifer Aniston, I am struck by their resilience and grace in the face of adversity. While Jodie’s electrifying performance on stage at Yale was interrupted by a potentially dangerous situation, it seems that her spirit remained unbroken. The incident with the unidentified stalker, who brought a gun to the performance, must have been a terrifying experience for Jennifer. It’s heartening to see how she has managed to transform this traumatic moment into an opportunity to reevaluate her relationship with theater and find a way forward.
This article contains discussions of addiction, mental health and violence.
Being well-known isn’t without its drawbacks, particularly when it comes to protecting personal privacy. From paparazzi snapping photos of their favorite stars shopping or walking their pets, it’s clear that living a normal life can be quite challenging when the world is eager for a glimpse. However, the dangers associated with fame extend beyond just the intrusive paparazzi. A tragic example from history is the stalking that celebrities often face, which can escalate into dangerous situations. For instance, the infamous car chase in Paris caused by paparazzi resulted in the death of Princess Diana of Wales in 1997. Yet, another alarming aspect of fame is the increased risk of attracting stalkers, posing a significant threat to their safety and well-being.
It’s crucial to be aware that some of the details surrounding these celebrity stalkings can be quite distressing, so please read with care. Nevertheless, it seems vital to discuss the significant impacts on the lives of actors and musicians due to their professions. Here are five accounts of extremely troubling stalking incidents.
Drew Barrymore
Born into the illustrious Barrymore family, renowned for their significant impact on Hollywood, Drew Barrymore gained fame at a tender age. Regrettably, she endured more than the usual share of negative aspects associated with celebrity status. During her formative years under public scrutiny, Barrymore grappled with addictions to substances and faced numerous criticisms, such as an infamous instance when she flashed David Letterman on his namesake talk show. However, she has since left acting and openly discusses all her challenges on “The Drew Barrymore Show.” It’s worth noting that the stalking incident in her life occurred later during a less turbulent period in her life.
At the 92nd Street Y in NYC, I found myself sharing a panel with the remarkable Reneé Rapp. During the Q&A session, an audience member unexpectedly approached me. As I greeted him, he declared, “I recognize you! We’ve got to meet up while you’re in New York.” Security quickly intervened, but not before Reneé bravely stepped between us. In her selfless act, she truly embodied a hero, a fact Barrymore acknowledged by saying, “Well, my new definition of your charm is that level of protection. You’ve given me a whole new Bodyguard vibe.” She even went on to call Reneé my “Kevin Costner.” To which Reneé responded, “I’ll take that role.” It was later revealed that the man was Chad Michael Busto, and he continued his troubling behavior by stalking Emma Watson at a New York Fashion Week event a month later.
Rachel Bilson
Rachel Bilson, well-known for her breakout role in “The O.C.” and a popular prime-time teen soap opera, faced an unsettling situation with a stalker in February 2023, just before the SCAD TVFest in Atlanta. The gossip outlet RadarOnline obtained some court records that revealed Bilson’s ordeal involving an individual named Clyde (his last name was not provided). Bilson’s legal representative stated that this man had repeatedly visited her home where she and her daughter live. Moreover, he managed to obtain the phone numbers of those listed in the documents and called multiple times, often referring to Bilson as his future wife.
In an even more unsettling turn of events, it was Bilson herself who disclosed in the same court records that this stalker persistently reached out to her via social media, letters, and even attempted to intrude on her home. As she put it, he addresses her as “baby” and claims they will be married one day, implying that she is carrying his child – a notion with which she has no previous acquaintance and has no desire to meet him. This situation is truly alarming, but thankfully, Bilson managed to prioritize her own safety and that of her daughter (with ex-partner Hayden Christensen) by securing a restraining order against this man, who aimed to infringe upon her feelings of security and privacy.
Selena Gomez
Over the course of her life, Selena Gomez, who is currently starring in “Only Murders in the Building” and was previously a Disney child star, has been under constant public scrutiny. This prolonged attention has not only kept her in the limelight but also presented her with challenges associated with it. Gomez has courageously shared her battles with health issues, including lupus, a kidney transplant, depression, and anxiety, as well as dealing with a stalker situation.
The Time Magazine article dated April 2014 states that Che Cruz, who is Gomez’s stalker, was officially charged with felony stalking and violating a court order to stay away from the actress after two arrests due to his pursuit of Gomez. On separate occasions, Cruz attempted to enter Gomez’s home by jumping over her fence and trying to gain access. In June of that year, Billboard reported that Cruz pleaded no contest to these charges and was sentenced to spend six months in a psychiatric facility. Additionally, he was prohibited from being near Gomez for the next ten years.
Jodie Foster
Unfortunately, the professional reputation of actress and director Jodie Foster is linked to an unfortunate incident where a man attempted to assassinate the President of the United States out of admiration for her. Known for her acting career that began at the tender age of three (thanks to a Copperfield commercial) and her recent ventures into directing, Foster became the target of would-be assassin John Hinckley Jr., who had been stalking her for years before attempting to shoot President Ronald Reagan in 1981. It was later discovered that Hinckley Jr.’s obsession with Foster began after he saw her in the movie “Taxi Driver.” Although Foster rarely discusses the assassination attempt, aside from a 1982 essay in Esquire titled “Why Me?”, she did open up about it during an interview with fellow actress Jodie Comer for Interview Magazine in 2024 (as reported by People Magazine). During her time at Yale, Foster noticed something peculiar while performing on stage.
Following her statement that she was accompanied by Secret Service agents, Foster explained to Comer, “During the show, there was an individual in the front row. For two nights straight, I’d observed him. In response, I decided to direct a series of insults at him throughout the performance, shouting, ‘You jerk!’ and other such phrases. I chose this man as my target. It turned out that on the second day, it was disclosed that this specific individual possessed a firearm and had brought it to the show, making himself a fugitive.”
Foster added, “That moment was incredibly difficult for me, and I’ve never openly acknowledged that it might be why I’ve hesitated to return to the stage. It encompassed everything. I managed to convince myself to appreciate theater and attend performances, but deep down, I couldn’t bring myself to promise I would perform again.”
Taylor Swift
Despite not having many acting credits, Taylor Swift has made appearances in several films and TV shows over the course of her illustrious career as one of the world’s most renowned pop stars. Throughout this time, she has also faced numerous harrowing instances of stalking. Remarkably, she has managed to steer clear of potentially dangerous situations with the aid of a robust security team and an upcoming collaboration with the CIA in 2024.
For several years, Taylor Swift has encountered individuals such as Roger Alvarado, who intruded into her Manhattan apartment in 2018 and stayed in her bed (as reported by Vogue Australia), and David Crowe, who was detained without bail in January 2024 for frequently appearing outside of the singer-songwriter’s Tribeca residence, according to NBC News. During Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which started in 2023, an individual was arrested at a 2024 show in Gelsenkirchen, Germany after it was uncovered that he intended to assault Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (via E!). Furthermore, the entire three-show run of shows in Vienna, Austria was canceled after it was discovered that a large-scale terrorist attack had been planned during the show that potentially could have resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives (according to the New York Times). Taylor Swift consistently faces public scrutiny, but these incidents are truly alarming and unacceptable.
Should you or someone close to you be experiencing mental health difficulties, reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741. Alternatively, you can call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helpline at 1-800-950-6264 or explore resources on the National Institute of Mental Health’s website.
Should you find yourself affected by instances of mass violence, or if you’re struggling emotionally due to such events, remember that the Disaster Distress Helpline is there to assist. You can reach them by calling or texting 1-800-985-5990 for support during this difficult time.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-03 04:00