Both Adam Lambert and Kelly Clarkson have shared their own intense fan encounters, revealing the dangers of being on stage and the shocking things fans sometimes do.
In light of the media coverage surrounding Bebe Rexha being struck by a cell phone and Ava Max being assaulted by a fan, Lambert and Clarkson have opened up about their own unsettling experiences. These stories highlight the disturbing reality that artists are sometimes assaulted by the very fans who are meant to be their supporters.
In Lambert’s case, he shared a particularly bizarre and humorous fan encounter during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Elvis Duran and the Morning Show. He revealed that, although objects being thrown on stage isn’t uncommon (including the occasional bra or panty), one time a fan threw a 12-inch dildo at him. “It hit me,” Lambert said, explaining how it could have caused an injury, but it bounced off of him and landed on the floor, “flopping like a dead salmon.” After a brief moment of shock, Lambert did what he does best: he kicked it back into the audience—possibly hitting the woman who threw it.
Kelly Clarkson, after hearing about Rexha’s experience, shared her own terrifying stage encounter during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show. She recounted a time when she was performing with her eyes closed and a fan rushed the stage, embraced her, and put their arms around her. Clarkson said it left her feeling “rattled,” realizing how vulnerable she was in that moment. “It was very scary,” she said, admitting that the experience made her realize the risks of being on stage.
Reflecting on some of the most harrowing experiences, Clarkson also mentioned the 2017 mass shooting during a Jason Aldean concert, where 60 people lost their lives and over 400 were injured. She admitted that after that event, she questioned when—or even if—she would ever tour again, as she worried about the risks of performing and leaving her kids behind. Fortunately, she has since decided to return to touring, with a series of shows in Las Vegas next month to promote her album “Chemistry”.
Meanwhile, Adam Lambert and Queen are gearing up for another tour this fall, kicking off in October. Here’s hoping that fans at both shows—and at every concert—remember to be respectful and considerate of the performers, keeping their actions in line with the spirit of support and admiration.