Celebrities Struck by Random Objects Thrown at Them
Crowds can be unpredictable, and sometimes that unpredictability turns into flying objects. Over the years, artists and public figures have been hit by everything from phones and bracelets to pies and bouquets. These moments often lead to halted shows, medical checks, and renewed talks about safety at events.
This list looks at well documented incidents where a celebrity was actually struck by something thrown from the crowd. Each entry explains what hit them and what happened next, along with how security and organizers responded in the aftermath.
Bebe Rexha
During a New York concert a fan threw a cellphone that struck her above the eye. The impact opened a cut that required stitches and the show ended early while medics assessed the injury.
Security detained the individual who threw the phone and local authorities pursued charges. The episode sparked broader conversations about venue screening and the risks posed by loose items in a packed crowd.
Kelsea Ballerini
While performing on stage she was hit in the face by a metal bracelet that a fan tossed from the floor. She stepped away mid song and later returned after checking in with her crew and audience.
Her team coordinated with venue staff to identify the source and reminded fans to pass gifts to security instead of throwing them. The incident prompted other country acts to post their own safety reminders before shows.
Harry Styles
At one of his arena shows a handful of hard candies were thrown toward the stage and one piece struck his eye. He winced and took a moment before finishing the set.
In the days that followed the sweet maker urged fans not to throw candy at performers. His crew added extra reminders on the screens before the encore to discourage tossing items toward the stage.
Kid Cudi
During a festival headline set he was hit by a plastic bottle after warning the crowd to stop throwing things. He walked off after the next strike landed and the set ended early.
Festival security reviewed camera angles to pinpoint the throwers and removed multiple attendees. Organizers later updated on site messaging and posted a zero tolerance policy for projectiles at future editions.
Ariana Grande
A lemon thrown from the audience hit her during a high profile festival appearance. She kept singing and moved to another side of the stage while crews scanned the pit.
Stage staff patrolled the barricade and reminded fans that anything thrown is grounds for ejection. The festival issued a statement about crowd conduct and reinforced bag checks at entrances the next day.
David Bowie
A lollipop hurled from the crowd struck him near the eye during a European date. He paused to make sure there was no serious damage and then continued the performance.
Promoters increased buffer space at the barricade for the remainder of the run. Local security teams also began collecting items that could become projectiles before fans reached the floor.
Chad Kroeger
While fronting his band at a festival he was pelted with small rocks, and one hit him as he addressed the crowd. After a brief attempt to restart the show the group exited the stage.
Festival officials worked the front lines to locate the instigators and shut down the set to avoid further injuries. The incident led to stricter rules about loose gravel zones inside open air venues.
Justin Bieber
Early in his touring years a water bottle thrown from the audience hit him on stage. He paused to ask who threw it and then moved on with the performance.
Security teams near the barricade widened their patrol area for the rest of the show. Afterward the promoter circulated new guidance urging attendees to keep bottles capped and in cup holders.
Steve Lacy
A disposable camera thrown toward the stage struck him during a tour stop. He stopped the song, addressed the crowd, and reset with his band before finishing the night.
Venue staff confiscated additional cameras being tossed around the pit. The artist later posted a reminder asking fans to keep their hands to themselves and enjoy the music without throwing anything.
RosalÃa
A bouquet tossed from close range hit her in the face at the end of a show. She instinctively turned away and checked her eye before waving to the crowd.
After the concert she shared a message asking fans to place gifts at the edge of the stage or hand them to security. The tour added pre show announcements explaining how to pass items safely.
Brendon Urie
A bottle thrown from the audience struck him during a major festival set and he dropped to the stage for a moment. He recovered, returned to the mic, and completed the performance.
The band’s crew alerted security who cleared a pocket of hecklers near the barricade. Organizers reviewed their camera tower angles and updated their response plan for similar incidents the next day.
Billie Joe Armstrong
During a muddy outdoor festival fans began hurling clumps toward the stage and several hit him mid song. He played on while techs shielded amps and cleared monitors.
Stagehands placed additional scrims to block debris and diverted mud from forming near the pit. The event later regraded the field and added ground cover to reduce projectiles in wet conditions.
Tila Tequila
While appearing at a hard music gathering she was struck by bottles and other debris from the crowd. Security moved her to a vehicle and transported her to safety.
Promoters coordinated with local law enforcement after the set and reviewed on site footage. The next year the event expanded no throw messaging and increased the distance between the stage and the front barrier.
Amy Schumer
A beer can thrown from the seats hit the stage near her and clipped her during a stand up show. She stopped the set, identified the thrower with the audience, and continued after the person was removed.
The venue posted updated rules on its screens before the next performance. Ushers were positioned closer to aisles and trained to respond quickly if objects started to fly.
Tom Jones
Fans have a long history of throwing underwear and other garments during his shows and many of those items have hit him mid song. He often pauses while stagehands collect items to keep walkways clear.
Modern venues now brief ushers to intercept tossed garments before they reach the stage. Gift bins near the barricade allow fans to drop items without creating hazards for the performer and crew.
Cardi B
A drink thrown from the crowd splashed across her as she performed. She reacted in the moment and security quickly identified and removed the fan involved.
Local authorities reviewed statements from staff and attendees, and the venue reminded fans that throwing anything risks injury and ejection. The episode fueled a wider industry push for pre show etiquette messages.
Liam Gallagher
At large outdoor shows he has been hit by cans and cups thrown from the crowd. Sets have been paused while security cleared the area immediately in front of the stage.
Promoters responded by tightening entry checks and increasing patrols in the pit. Barricade teams began tapping fans on the shoulder to warn that any thrown item would lead to removal.
Marilyn Manson
During rowdy club and festival dates in the late 1990s he was struck by bottles and small objects from the audience. He addressed the crowd and techs erected quick shields around sensitive gear.
Crews coordinated with promoters to shut down sections where objects originated. The venues adjusted their search procedures and trained staff to spot clusters that might escalate into throwing.
Luke Bryan
A phone that a fan hurled toward the stage hit him during a concert. He picked it up, defused the moment with a quick aside, and handed it back through security.
After the show his team posted a note asking fans to pass items to staff instead of tossing them. The venue added a small collection table at the barricade so gifts could reach the artist safely.
Cristiano Ronaldo
During an away match an object from the stands struck him as he moved along the touchline. Medical staff checked him briefly and play resumed under closer supervision.
Stadium officials later used footage to identify the source and issued a ban to the offender. Clubs reminded supporters that throwing objects endangers players and can trigger fines or partial stadium closures.
Share the wildest example you remember in the comments and tell us how you think venues should handle this kind of crowd behavior.