PETA Protestor Disrupts Pharrell Williams’ Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival
PETA Protestor Makes a Statement
A PETA protestor recently disrupted the premiere of the Pharrell Williams animated Lego biopic, Piece by Piece , at the Toronto International Film Festival. The protestor was holding a sign that read "Pharrell: Stop Supporting Killing Animals for Fashion" and was actively promoting PETA’s campaign against animal cruelty in the fashion industry.
Disruption at the Premiere
As Pharrell Williams answered questions following the screening of the film, the PETA protestor stood up and shouted, "Your Louis Vuitton collection… Pharrell’s collection is made from their blood. Pharrell stop torturing animals! Ostriches are being hung upside down, electrocuted with their necks slit." The protestor’s outburst was aimed at drawing attention to PETA’s allegations that Louis Vuitton uses fur and wildlife skins in their fashion products.
Pharrell Williams’ Response
In response to the protestor’s statements, Williams walked to the edge of the stage and said, "You’re right, you’re right." He then led the crowd in offering the protestor a collective "God bless you" as they continued their "Pharrell stop torturing animals" chant. Williams also acknowledged the protestor’s concerns, stating, "Yes, I have."
The Aftermath
After security removed the protestor from the theater, Williams addressed the audience, saying, "That is 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, they come out here and do themselves a disservice." However, Williams also emphasized the importance of listening to people’s concerns and acknowledged the need for change in the fashion industry.
Louis Vuitton’s stance on animal cruelty
The luxury fashion house has been criticized for its use of fur and wildlife skins, with PETA pushing back on their practices. According to PETA, many of the materials used by Louis Vuitton, including fur and exotic skins, are obtained through animal cruelty.
Pharrell Williams’ Role in Promoting Sustainable Fashion
Pharrell Williams has been named men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton, succeeding the late Virgil Abloh. Williams’ first collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week last June, showcasing the future direction of the luxury fashion house. Despite PETA’s concerns, Williams has been vocal about his commitment to sustainability in the fashion industry.
PETA’s Statement on the Disruption
"We would be happy to stop disrupting Pharrell’s appearances but despite a lot of lip service, he’s yet to ditch fur and exotic skins," said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman in a statement to Variety. "Pharrell can decide in a heartbeat, today, to use his power for good and stop being complicit in cruelty—it’s quite easy to be kind."
Conclusion
The disruption by the PETA protestor at Pharrell Williams’ premiere serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainability in the fashion industry. Pharrell Williams has the opportunity to use his platform to promote change and advocate for animal welfare. As PETA’s Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman emphasizes, it is quite easy for Pharrell to make a positive impact by ditching fur and exotic skins.
