Trigger warning: This article contains references to murder.
Fame has two sides. As much as it gives celebrities popularity and recognition, it also makes them targets of stalkers on many occasions. Many famous people have been part of horrific incidents that have put their safety and well-being at risk.
These celebrities are well aware of the pitfalls of being famous. From Britney Spears being molested by her ex-husband at her wedding to a stalker sleeping in Taylor Swift’s bed. Let’s take a look at some of the horrible situations these stars have been through.
6. Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift (34), who has one of the most iconic spots in pop culture, doesn’t really have a very good history with crazy and obsessive fans. She has faced several terrifying incidents in her career, including stalkers breaking into her home. According to AP News, a man named Eric Swarbrick sent 40 ‘love letters’ to Miss Swift’s former record label, Big Machine Label Group. Swarbrick even tried to go to Nashville to deliver the letters himself on several occasions.
Another man was arrested for breaking into her Tribeca residence, who allegedly used her shower and later slept in her bed, reports Page Six. The most recent incident happened during her Eras Tour stop in Vienna, Austria. She had to cancel all three of her shows because a serious terrorist attack plot was discovered ahead of time, reports the New York Times.
5. Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore (49), who has been in the limelight from a young age, has also had to face many negative aspects of being famous. At an event with her Sex Lives of College Girls co-stars During Renee Rapp’s talk at New York’s 92nd Street Y, a man suddenly interrupted her conversation with the audience. According to Entertainment Weekly, after the talk show host responded to the man, he suddenly started walking towards the stage and said, “You know who I am. I want to meet you when you’re in New York.”
Fortunately, the security personnel took care of the situation immediately and Drew was taken to a safe distance from the stage by Rapp. He then expressed his gratitude to Rapp for his courageous move in such a situation.
4. Britney Spears
Although you may have heard the lyrics to this artist’s famous song, “But Mom, I love a criminal,” did you know that her ex-husband actually became a criminal when he tried to break into the singer’s wedding? During the wedding ceremony of Britney Spears (42) and her now-estranged boyfriend Sam Asghari (30), her ex-husband, Jason Alexander, was taken into custody for breaking into Spears’ home.
He posted a live video on Instagram saying, “She is my first wife, the only wife,” and also mentioned in the same video that he had come to “disrupt” the wedding, reports BBC. The incident disrupted the wedding preparations. Security officials immediately swung into action and later officers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office took him to the local jail.
3. Jennifer Lopez
In 2013, Jennifer Lopez’s (55) Hamptons residence was allegedly broken into by a stalker. According to a report by the New York Post, the culprit, John DuBois, spent six whole days at the singer’s $10 million home enjoying his summer by the pool. The terrifying thing is that he was not caught by JLo’s security in those six days. When arrested, he tried to convince the police that the reason he was allowed into the house was because he was the singer’s husband and the father of her children.
2. Justin Bieber
As with many stalkers, Justin Bieber’s story highlights the dark side of fame in the glittery but dangerous world of celebrities. But an even more terrifying incident that happened in 2013 highlighted the huge risks of being famous. According to a report in The Atlantic, Justin was drawn into a terrifying scheme devised by a man who was overwhelmed with obsession.
Mark Staake planned a horrific attack on Justin with the help of his nephew Tanner Ruan. They wanted to kill Justin with garden scissors. 45-year-old inmate Dana Martin was the brains behind this vicious murder. She monitored the attack from behind bars. Martin felt betrayed by the change in Justin’s life.
1. Selena Gomez
Another big name in Hollywood, Selena Gomez (32), who started out as a child star with Disney, also suffered the side effects of becoming a worldwide star. According to a 2014 BBC report, a stalker was arrested twice in one week for trying to break into the artist’s home. The man, named Che Cruz, was first arrested in front of Gomez’s house on Sunday, March 30, 2014; he was released within hours, and a court order was issued telling him to stay away from Selena.
But later that week she was arrested again for violating a court order after being found boarding up the singer’s home. She was sentenced to 45 days in jail at a court hearing on April 2, 2014, and was released two days later.
Disclaimer: If you need help or know someone who is going through any kind of abuse, please contact your nearest mental health expert, NGO or just talk to someone. There are many helplines available for this.
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