It was the most shocking thing to come out of Cannes, and it had nothing to do with any of the movies there.
America Ferrera, who was on hand for her voice role in Dreamworks animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” was the victim of a surprise attack on the red carpet.
The actress was posing with the cast for a group photo, on her way into the Palais des Festivals for the screening, when a man in a tuxedo ran up and crawled under her gown.
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The man was later identified as notorious red carpet prankster Vitalii Sediuk, who’s been slapped by Will Smith for trying to kiss him, and awkwardly hugged Bradley Cooper‘s legs at the SAG Awards.
Ferrera’s face registered shock at the moment, and it appears that it took her awhile to process what had happened. The rest of the cast, however, immediately surrounded her with support and concern. Security acted quickly, securing the man and escorting him away. “How to Train Your Dragon 2” director Dean Delbois told Vulture, “He got hauled off and thrown in jail.” He said the incident was “sort of over before anyone could process it.”
See video: ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ Trailer Sends Dragons to War (Video)
At the afterparty for the film’s premiere, Vulture spoke with Ferrera about both her experiences making the movie and the incident that tarnished her Cannes experience. “Of all of the things I prepared myself for, that was not one of them,” Ferrera said of the red carpet attack. When the interviewer said that “it seemed kind of violating,” Ferrera said, “I agree with that statement.”
It was her first time at Cannes, and she called it “quite an experience.” She went on to say that she wouldn’t have imagined it would include dragons, adding, ” I would not have imagined there would be ankle biters on the carpet.”