Entertainment

The "Red Carpet Prankster" Strikes Again

by Kadeen Griffiths

In the world we live in, there is more than one way to make a name for yourself. Justin Bieber began as a tween YouTube star, after all, and viral videos are bringing people to the forefront of the public's attention even if it's just for their fifteen minutes of fame. When Brad Pitt was attacked at the Maleficent premiere Wednesday night, it seemed like a random act of violence by a crazed fan. As it turns out, his attacker was Ukranian prankster Vitalii Sediuk and this is far from the first time that Sediuk has struck.

In fact, just recently Sediuk was apprehended for hiding under America Ferrera's dress at the Cannes Festival, although apprehended is a fairly strong word considering no one stopped him from approaching her to begin with. As a refresher, Sediuk is the same man who ran on stage during Adele's acceptance speech at the Grammys, went streaking at one of Prabal Gurung's fashion shows, and got slapped by Will Smith for trying to kiss him at the Men In Black III premiere. How has Sediuk not become persona non grata at these red carpet events by now? Who keeps letting him in?

According to witnesses at the scene, Sediuk jumped over the barricade and either slapped or punched Brad Pitt in the face before being taken down by security guards and taken away in handcuffs. He has been booked on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and is currently being held at the LAPD's Hollywood station.

Pitt took the attack in stride, continuing to greet fans on the red carpet and support Angelina Jolie, which is a lot more graceful of him than most of us would have been in his position. There's a difference between playing a prank and making a nuisance of yourself and Sediuk crossed that line a long time ago. It's bad enough that he's able to crawl under a woman's dress and get away with it, but if he's moved up to full-on assaulting people then how has no one stopped him yet?

How far is too far before Sediuk requires more drastic action than just a brief lock up and maybe a fine? And does anyone even find his so-called pranks funny? The world may never know.