Summary
- Smartphones have become a major occupational hazard for artists as they can cause injuries and interrupt their performances.
- Fans throwing phones and harassing artists have become a disturbing trend, blurring the line between star and average fan.
- It is important for audiences to respect artists’ personal space and not disrupt their shows in order to go viral.
Have you ever wondered why famous people, even B-list celebrities, travel in a troupe of 12? It’s not just about looking cool; They’re probably there to act as a human shield from flying, pink, blinding Samsungs. Do you think a rounded corner or plastic casing makes a device “safer”? Try to catch one with your eye socket.
We once laughed about Björk having a nervous breakdown in an airport while suffering from jet lag. Such incidents are not so funny these days, but just as singers and actresses have come to grips with their anger management issues and insecurities, the problem has spread to those who idolize them.
The battle between entertainer and fan has entered the second phase. The days of crowds throwing rotten vegetables and trash onto the stage are coming back into fashion. The rabid audience has begun to emulate their emotionally maladaptive heroes, right down to their weapon of choice, the smartphone.
Why? It’s complicated. Each incident is unique, but when you delve into the phenomenon, you can understand why singers value their personal space so much. Now you know why at big concerts the stage is often 20 meters away from its adoring guests, surrounded by a moat and a siege wall, while the front row squints at a jumbo-tron screen, trying to figure out which guy with the mullet is Bono is.
Of course, this could easily be dismissed as a crime for naughty celebrities, but the precedent it sets is more than a little frightening.
Dangers in the workplace
Smartphones have quickly become the bane of musicians, presenters, comedians and theater artists. The practical gadgets are probably the worst thing to happen to live art since the art critic. In his day, Shakespeare only had to fear a few pieces of cabbage or unripe apples. Modern artists now have to work on dodging devices like Neo in the Matrix while simultaneously twirling in their high heels to the beat of the music.
Bebe Rexha is just one of many current celebrities who have been accused of telephone violence. In June 2023, she had to be taken to the hospital for a medical examination. Her injuries were caused by an excited madman who threw a phone at her forehead. She was fine. We’re not sure if fans received refunds, but it’s safe to say no one left the show happy that night. If you’re not the type of person who watches people get mugged and fall to the ground in agony, maybe don’t watch this video.
She’s hardly alone: Ariana Grande has also caught fire in recent years. Drake escaped from his collision with only minor injuries. One only has to look back to 2018 to see the trend, when singer Swae Lee dodged incoming phones thrown at him by eager fans demanding he make a call – Gen Zers’ version of throwing underwear on stage . He left bleeding and cursing his crowd, and understandably so.
We already knew that smartphones were dangerous due to their negative impact on mental health. Little did we know that they would also pose a physical threat to human security in every sense of the word. Nowadays, a singer always has the risk of being knocked unconscious by a pill weighing heavily on his mind.
Anger by proxy
Consider it a payback when the tables turn. The press went wild when Russell Crowe beat a hotel worker with the receptionist’s landline. Yes, he was old-fashioned. Naomi Campbell was more innovative, using her housekeeper for target practice and pointing her flip phone at the unfortunate employee.
Ironically, singers have expressed their disdain for phones for years, due less to a busted lip and more to their inherent disrespect. Angry fans weren’t in the moment, they were whining. Judas Priest singer Rob Halford (wearing ridiculous studded platform boots) remedied the situation by throwing a phone out of a fan’s hand during a concert in 2019. Which, considering it was a heavy metal concert, is appropriately metal, but still incredible.
Actor Johnny Depp is said to have shot Amber Heard’s skull with his smartphone, although this incident is now in question and may never have happened. But we do know that Russell Brand stole a paparazzi’s phone in New Orleans and threw it out the window. Luckily he didn’t hit anyone with it, but just borrowed the vehicle to test its aerodynamic properties.
Something interesting has happened in the last 15 years that has not allowed anyone to claim fame and celebrity recognition. There’s a lot to be said about the empowering rush you get from fifteen minutes of shame.
The Gutter Contingent
It’s a fact that people really like throwing around cell phones for fun. Unfortunately, this goes far beyond a few harmless antics and leads directly to granting wishes or taking justice into one’s own hands. The controversy surrounding the recent attacks appears to be just the tip of the iceberg of idiots seeking to make themselves the center of attention. Comedian Dave Chappelle was chased onto the stage by a heckler who was later found to be carrying a knife.
Thanks in large part to Will Smith, many now feel they have the right, or even the duty, to engage with those on stage, as the line between star and average Joe dissolves. Heckling has a long and accepted role in comedy, but when a person or projectile crosses the line, it’s not pretty. It can escalate in terrible ways. It’s important to remember that no one in the audience paid to see you or endure your stupidity.
So sit down, shut up, and stop trying to go viral by harassing others at work. Don’t let her talent go to your head. Bebe Rexha may not be able to throw hands, but try it on the wrong show and see what happens.
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