Exclusive
Paparazzi and fans out of control
What: Sneak preview of “Then She Found Me,” Q&A, and encounter with press
When: Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 pm (incident occurred later)
Where: Aero Theatre,1328 Montana Avenue at 14th Street in Santa Monica
Why: Hunt wanted to leave, paparazzi wanted to film her, then proceeded to follow her
Hunt answered questions about “Then She Found Me” at a Q&A session for a sneak preview of her film in Santa Monica. Afterward, she left with her boyfriend and a group of people and were confronted by fans, photographers, and paparazzi who wanted her to sign autographs and answer more questions. However, Hunt really wanted to leave because, apparently, she had signed a bunch of autographs before the screening, it was late, and she wanted to go have coffee. The paparazzi proceeded to follow her and shoot video. In the clip, Hunt turns around and requests that they stop following her. They don’t listen. She ends up being followed for several blocks until a confrontation leads Hunt to get in a car and leave.
Watch the video and you will find the confrontation if you fast-forward to 3:00. My problem is that when someone feels threatened or unsafe in the environment, then it has gone too far. Hunt came to the sneak preview to promote her film, participated in a Q&A, and kindly requested that the following be stopped. It’s crazed people like this who ruin it for the rest of movie enthusiasts who go to have a good time. Personally, I hope Ms. Hunt doesn’t think we’re all insane. Bottom line: I don’t care what you think constitutes right to press and free speech, when you follow someone to the point that they feel uncomfortable, things have gone too far.
What do you think?
Personally, I think it is time to put an end to the paparizzi’s endless ways. I think a law should be passed to prevent them within 50 feet of anyone they are filming. Their cameras will film fine at that distance and will prevent what is ultimately going to happen…someone will die due to carelessness.
As a fan of Ms. Hunt and other actors and actresses, I enjoy seeing photo’s and filming of them. But not at the cost of their safety, their own personal time and just plane rudeness. When an actor or actress says that is enough, the paparazzi, as well as the fans should move along.
I’m sorry that she had to endure the idiotic behavior of some so-called fans. Trust me, I’m not one of them.
Ti Phillips
Hi,
I agree with you. I think they should be able to film within reason - but there is always a line that can be crossed. I think they crossed it here.
It is no different that any other form of “unwanted” advances, physical contact or even rape for that matter. No…means no. There needs to be established laws for the protection of celebrities, politicians and sports figures from paparazzi. Again, the rights of the many should not interfere with the rights of the ONE!
I agree. I did not watch the clip for this reason. Leave these people alone mdia and focus on what is going on in our society in a postive manner. The response will be surprising!
Helen Hunt is one of my favorites, and i think certain times for pictures should be by appointment only, the paparazzi should banned, from all activities,
Just another over-rated actress begging for some attention. I see no-one threatening her. It appears she wanted all this attention, otherwise why would she not have had her car waiting right outside the building she just left? Too cheap to pay for a limo? She’s really a boring actress, and she really hasn’t done much in films or TV, there’s much, much better actresses out there. She was just seeking attention anyway she could get it. Sad!
I agree that Ms. Hunt should have been left alone. She asked the people very nicely to please stop following her. It is sorry that Ms. Hunt wasn’t able to leave after the Q&A session without people bothering her.
we’re on this site watching this video so…
if you don’t want this kind of attention then find another job. i don’t think anyone was rude or in her face.
Whether the actor is overrated as a couple of you commented. They still have rights to privacy. They are human just like the rest of us and want to be left alone. And I agree 100% she is a wonderful actress. And also when someone say “no”, stay away.
I belive there is a law already that just needs to be amended to cover the paparazzi, that law is stalking. I’m amazed there aren’t more fender benders with movie stars with all the flashes from cameras in there windshield while they are trying to pull away from the curb.And for anyone who says they have the right to see movie stars while they go about there personal life “GET A LIFE”.
This world is going to hell in a hand basket. How much clearer did she have to be? She was polite and clearly didn’t want the attention. That should have been the end of it. I agree NO MEANS NO!
What the “ground scum” wanted was to get her riled enough to say something mean or out of character so they could create news where there isn’t any.
I commend her and her friends around her for not necessarily saying anything, other than, go away and leave us alone, and just walking to her car.
And, I don’t believe that once a person is a celebrity or politician or a sport figure and in the public eye, they are “fair game”. Every person has a certain right to privacy and space.
I can guarantee that if we didn’t hear about Britney’s every move, on every news channel, (even my local new channel reports on Britney, Lindsey and/or Paris) no one would care and we wouldn’t miss all the lies and crap being shoveled as “News”.
I think once they know they can’t rile you, they will leave you alone because you just don’t respond to them.
BTW, I can’t wait to see the new movie!
The paparazzi are the scum of the earth and they are hired by an even lower life form to do their dirty work. I have read that some have been paid up to a million dollars for a single photo. But ultimately it comes down to the sheeple that purchase the magazines and watch the mind numbing crap on the television. They are the ones driving the ratings. There is little wonder why society is as messed up as it is today. The sheeple are being spoon fed absolute garbage, and they seem to want more, 100+ channels of garbage.
I can’t believe what gets passed on as news these days. I really could care less about any actor, politician or sports star and their drug habits or their family life. I couldn’t agree more with some of the other comments. No means no and if that were my wife that was being hounded by the camera man I would have a hard time not shoving the camera down his throat, but that would then create even more attention by the media. Yes it is time that a new law is passed. It is also time for people to wake up and take a look through the other shiny picture in their house called a window! Take a good look at what is happening to our world folks. Some of us are trying to make a difference and it about time more of us did the same.
i think that when Helen said for them to go away they should respect her privacy and to let her do something without them bothering her! It does get to be a pain!