Pharrell Speaks Out After He’s Confronted By Unruly PETA Protestor At His LEGO Movie Premiere

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The 49th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is underway, and protestors have ruined at least one premiere.

Pharrell Williams was on stage on Tuesday night to discuss his LEGO-fied animated biopic Piece By Piece when a woman suddenly hopped on stage to exercise her right to free speech.

She carried a sign with his name in big, bold red letters and a message that said, “Stop Supporting Killing Animals for Fashion,” with the PETA logo directly beneath.

While most stars wouldn’t engage and move away, Pharrell walked towards the woman while she was onstage. However, security emerged before he could talk to her and rushed her off the stage.

Still, she persisted, standing in front of the first row, chanting, “Pharrell, Stop Torturing Animals.”

Pharrell politely bent to her level and said, “You’re right. You’re right. God Bless You.”

He continues to bless her as she incoherently yells while being escorted out of the room. Then, when Pharrell is clear about going on to talk about his movies, he decides to address the incident instead, commending her wanting progression but not agreeing with her method.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, and sometimes, when you have plans to change things in situations, you have to get into a position of power and influence where you can change people’s minds and help progression,” Pharrell began. “That’s not necessarily the way to do it. And sitting in my position when I have conversations on behalf of organizations like that, unbeknownst to them…we’re actually working on that. And if she would’ve just asked me, I would have told her, but instead, she wanted to repeat herself.

As Louis Vuitton’s Creative Menswear Director, Pharrell is guilty of using animal skins in the French-based brand. A quick scroll of the site shows a $26,200 monogrammed mink fur hoodie, and early this summer, he showed off a crocodile speedy bag ahead of the Paris Games.

See how social media is reacting to the protestors’ actions below.