For musicians, the stage is a place of creativity and connection, where they pour their hearts out to an adoring crowd. But behind the cheers and applause lies a troubling phenomenon that’s sending shockwaves through the entertainment world. Lately, it seems that even the biggest stars can’t escape a disturbing trend – onstage attacks.
What was once considered a token of appreciation, like gifts thrown on stage, has now taken a dark turn, leaving celebrities fearing for their safety. In this era of unpredictability, acts of love have become a double-edged sword, causing injuries, incarcerations, and unforeseen terror for performers.
Here are 10 Celebs who have faced the unexpected and alarming reality of Onstage Attacks.
Bebe Rexha’s onstage attack left her with a black eye
On June 18, 2023, during a performance at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in Manhattan, a fan tossed their smartphone toward the stage, striking the Pop star Bebe Rexha popularly referred to by her hit lyrics “Me, Myself, & I” in the eye. The singer was forced to abandon the act early due to an apparent black eye and laceration on her left eyelid, which she later posted on Instagram to alert fans of her stable status.
The 27-year-old thrower was arrested and charged. with two counts of third-degree assault, one case of second-degree harassment, one count of aggravated harassment in the second degree, and one act of attempted assault in the third degree.
Ava Max was smacked by a man on stage
On June 20, 2023, Ava Max was performing on stage in Los Angeles when a man leaped on stage and slapped her across the face. A fan-shot video of the incident showed what looked like a man trying to touch the singer moments before security stopped him, implying that he did not intend to slap her as severely as he did.
Still, Max doesn’t recall it that way. This is what the singer’s tweet read the next morning, “He slapped me so hard that he scratched the inside of my eye.” He’s never coming to a show again.”
Harry Styles got hit in the eye with some sweets
On November 15, 2022, Harry Styles was playing at his “Love on Tour” residency in Los Angeles when a fan threw a small object at him. The incident occurred at the end of the event when Styles was making his way down the stage to take his final bows before the encore, as reported by ET. The object, later identified as a Skittle, flew straight into Styles’ eye, wounding him. Despite this, he sang “Kiwi,” squinting the entire time.
Ariana Grande returns a phone thrown at her on stage
Following a concert in October 2015 to commemorate the release of her single “Focus,” the singer took part in a Q&A session during which a fan hurled their phone at her. Fortunately, Both Grande and the interviewer saw it coming and were able to avoid being hit. “Did someone throw a phone at me?” Grande inquired.
Kelsea Ballerini had a bracelet hurled at her face in Idaho
Kelsea Ballerini was on stage when someone threw a bracelet and struck her in the eye. This prompted the country singer to step back and converse with her fiddle player behind her.
According to a Tik Tok Video of the event, she then briefly left the platform before returning to address the crowd about what had just happened to her.
Jim Jeffries was repeatedly attacked on stage by a fan in Manchester
On April 21, 2007, Jeffries launched a jab at a female heckler in the audience while playing at Manchester’s Comedy Store. Many people smiled at the joke, but one man did not, and he yelled insults at the comic while punching the walls (according to the (Manchester Evening News).
The man stormed the stage and attacked Jeffries just as everything appeared to be settling down. The attacker hit the comedian many times until security seized him and pulled him out of the club. Jeffries was not seriously injured, but he was shaken. He returned to the stage, but his performance was cut short.
Beyonce was almost dragged off-stage while singing in Brazil
On September 15, 2013, the singer was leaning toward the audience at the edge of the stage when a shirtless man grabbed her by the waist and tried to drag her into the crowd.
Beyoncé handled the overly enthusiastic fan nicely and continued singing uninterrupted for a brief period. She then attempted to defuse the situation by saying, “It’s all right. Everything is fine. Calm! Calm! Calm!” before finishing her song.
A fan hurled a sex toy at Adam Lambert on stage
Adam Lambert was shocked when a woman lobbed a sex toy at him on stage. The woman in the audience threw a “giant dildo” at him. “That was strange. Luckily, that wasn’t aimed at my head, it was aimed at my shins, and it sort of bounced off of my leg and landed on the floor and flopped once or twice.”
A bra and a phone were thrown at Drake on stage
Drake was performing in Chicago on July 5, 2023, when his performance was cut short by a hurled cell phone. According to Billboard, the rapper was performing his song of Ginuwine’s “So Anxious” when the phone struck his left arm and flew behind him. He glanced at it as it made its way to the floor, then went about his business as if nothing had happened.
Another fan tossed a bra at Drake, which, while not unheard of, caught Drake’s attention, with Drake remarking, “Oh yeah, that’s definitely how I like it right here.”
Cardi B’s Fiery onstage clash
Cardi B was in the middle of performing her hit song on stage when someone decided to hurl the contents of their cup at her. The incident occurred on July 30, 2023, while the rapper was performing at Drai’s Beachclub in Las Vegas. The individual hurled the contents of their drink at the vocalist, dousing her in liquid.
Cardi B slammed her microphone down at the audience and began violently cursing at folks in the front row.
Security personnel were forced to intervene by grabbing the microphone and escorting the person guilty of tossing the drink from the stadium as Cardi B exited the stage. This is according to a confirmed report. Unfortunately, the incident did not end there, as the alleged fan complained about the rapper’s retribution.