Vitalii Sediuk

Vitalii Sediuk
Born (1988-11-14) 14 November 1988[1]
Boryspil, Ukraine, Soviet Union
Nationality Ukrainian
Occupation Reporter, Celebrity prankster
Known for harassing American celebrities

Vitalii Sediuk (Ukrainian: Віталій Седюк)[2] (born November 14, 1988)[1] is a Ukrainian media personality. Sediuk has physically accosted a number of American celebrities at film premieres and awards ceremonies, having managed to gain access to otherwise restricted areas with the use of press credentials from his former employer, Ukrainian TV channel 1+1. In interviews, he has stated he is not a stalker and is not "crazy."[3]

Celebrity assaults

Incidents

Brad Pitt incident

On 28 May 2014, Sediuk was arrested by Los Angeles police after running onto the red carpet at the premier of Maleficent at the El Capitan Theater and making contact with Brad Pitt, breaking the actor's glasses. Though apparently unharmed, Pitt cut-short autograph signing after the attack and was granted an emergency restraining order against Sediuk.[20][21][22] Initial stories reported that Sediuk had punched Pitt in the face, though a statement Pitt made in the aftermath of the attack provided different details"

I was at the end of the line signing autographs, when out the corner of my eye I saw someone stage-diving over the barrier at me. I took a step back; this guy had latched onto my lapels. I looked down and the nutter was trying to bury his face in my crotch, so I cracked him twice in the back of the head -- not too hard -- but enough to get his attention, because he did let go. I think he was then just grabbing for a hand hold because the guys were on him, and he reached up and caught my glasses.[23]

In the aftermath of the attack, prosecutors announced they would seek an unprecedented court order banning Sediuk from any events connected with the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.[24]

Sediuk was held in the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail after failing to post $20,000 bail, and was indicted on 30 May 2014 on charges of assault and battery. Sediuk was also charged with unlawful activity at a sporting, theatrical event, or exhibition, relating to his 2013 Oscars stunt, and prosecution for which had been deferred at the time of the incident on condition of his good behavior for three years.[25] Sediuk pled no contest to all charges and was sentenced to 20 days of community service, $440 in court costs, and ordered to undergo psychological counseling for one year.

Reception

Sediuk's attacks have generally not been well received in U.S. media. The Los Angeles Times has described his escapades as having "a sinister quality," while the Hollywood Reporter has labeled him "a shameless attention fiend and mischief-maker." [7][20] In reporting on Sediuk's actions at the Cannes Film Festival the Huffington Post, while noting that Sediuk calls himself a prankster, asked "is anyone really laughing?"[26] Vulture has described Sediuk as "Borat without the wit or satire," while Uproxx has called Sediuk a "creep,"[27][28] and The Wire has referred to him as "a reprehensible piece of human garbage."[29]

Non-American press have also given Sediuk a cool reception. The UK edition of GQ has said Sediuk confirms "why Ukrainian comedy has yet to take over the world" and the Toronto Star has referred to him as an "unfunny prankster."[30][31] The Daily Mail has dismissed Sediuk as a "serial red carpet pest."[32]

Sediuk's criminal defense attorney, Anthony Willoughby, has defended Sediuk in media reports, and insisted he is not naturally prone to violence.[33] Christina Scherk, a self-described publicist who has previously worked with Sediuk, has echoed Willoughby's assertion that Sediuk is not normally violent, also adding that he "does not have a drug problem," and "is not a pervert," but does have, however, "real issues that need to be dealt with."[34]

Personal life

In 2012 Sediuk produced a short film titled "The Hydrangea," which reportedly had a $5,000 production budget. Since 2012 he has lived in Los Angeles where, until his May 2014 termination, he filed occasional stories for 1+1. He also works as an aspiring writer / director / producer.[35]

According to a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department booking report from 2014, Sediuk is six-feet tall and weighs 170 pounds.

References

  1. 1 2 Виталий Седюк / Vitalii Sediuk
  2. "Jonathan Handel: Pucker Up: Ukrainian Journalist Who Kissed Will Smith Lands in L.A". Huffingtonpost.com. 2012-08-16. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  3. "Grammy Awards Crasher Vitalii Sediuk Reveals How He Did It". Billboard. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  4. "Academy warns prankster famed for jokes on Madonna and Will Smith that he will be arrested if he attends the Oscars". dailymail.co.uk. Daily Mail. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  5. Valby, Karen (19 May 2012). "Ukrainian huckster in the news after sneak attack Will Smith kiss". ew.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  6. Abramovitch, Seth (11 February 2013). "Grammys Crasher Jailed for On-Stage Adele Stunt". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  7. 1 2 Abramovitch, Seth (24 June 2013). "Hollywood Prankster Vitalii Sediuk on Avoiding Jail, His L.A. Live Ban and J.Lo Obsession". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  8. 1 2 Abramovitch, Seth (27 June 2013). "Oscars Crasher Detained in Bjork's Swan Dress". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  9. Alexander, Bryan (29 May 2014). "Who is Brad Pitt prankster Vitalii Sediuk?". USA Today. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  10. Marcus, Stephanie (29 May 2014). "Brad Pitt attacked on red carpet at Maleficent premiere in Hollywood". news.com.au. news.com.au. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  11. "Streaker Crashes Runway at Fashion Week". New York Post. 8 February 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  12. Child, Ben (29 May 2014). "Brad Pitt punch at Maleficent premiere leads to Vitalii Sediuk arrest". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  13. Shoard, Catherine (24 May 2014). "Cannes: Off-screen incidents leave their mark on festival". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  14. "Reporter accused of attacking Brad Pitt loses job". CNN.com. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  15. Reilly, Travis (September 25, 2014). "Red Carpet Crasher Vitalii Sediuk Tackles Kim Kardashian at Paris Fashion Week Event". TheWrap.com. Retrieved September 25, 2014. Sediuk's representatives told TheWrap‘s that the 25-year-old Ukrainian reporter is responsible for the incident.
  16. Tuck, Lauren (25 September 2014). Yahoo! "Kim Kardashian Accosted At Balmain" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  17. "Ciara Jumped by Vitalli".
  18. Red Carpet Prankster Vitalii Sediuk Targets Miranda Kerr
  19. Hollywood Prankster Vitalii Sediuk Targeted Miranda Kerr
  20. 1 2 Zeitchik, Steven (20 May 2014). "Vitalii Sediuk allegedly attacks Brad Pitt on 'Maleficent' carpet". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  21. "Brad Pitt Attacked on Red Carpet at ‘Maleficent’ Premiere". ktla.com. KTLA-TV. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  22. "Brad Pitt Attacker DESTROYED Pitt's Sunglasses ... Hit With Restraining Order". TMZ. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  23. http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/03/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/brad-pitt-attack-statement/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
  24. "Brad Pitt Attacker, Vitalii Sediu, Facing BAN From All Hollywood Events". TMZ.com. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  25. http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/30/showbiz/brad-pitt-attacked/
  26. Marcus, Stephanie (16 May 2012). "America Ferrera Ambushed At Cannes Film Festival By Repeat Offender". huffingtpost.com. Huffington Post. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  27. Kurp, Josh (2014-02-24). "Vitalii Sediuk Punched Brad Pitt In The Face". Uproxx.com. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  28. David, Jesse. "Who Is Brad Pitt’s Attacker, Vitalii Sediuk?". Vulture. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  29. Mosendz, Polly. "Brad Pitt Punched in the Face by Dastardly Villain". The Wire. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  30. Morris, Andy (18 May 2014). "What’s the worst thing that can happen on a red carpet?". GQ UK.
  31. Arpe, Malene (29 May 2014). "Brad Pitt attacked on Maleficent red carpet". Toronto Star.
  32. Smith, Lizzie (2014-05-16). "Brad Pitt attacked by Vitalii Sediuk on red carpet at Maleficent premiere | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  33. "Brad Pitt's 'Maleficent' prankster hit with restraining order - Los Angeles Times". Latimes.com. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  34. Marquina, Sierra. "Celeb Prankster Vitalii Sediuk's Ex Publicist "Shocked" By His Actions - Us Weekly". Usmagazine.com. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  35. Handel, Jonathan (15 August 2012). "Pucker Up: Ukrainian Journalist Who Kissed Will Smith Lands in L.A.". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 May 2014.

External links


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