Hannah Ellis shared her thoughts after multiple, “scary” incidents of artists getting hurt after audience members throw objects on stage during concerts. The “Wine Country” star said in a video on her Instagram story on Thursday morning (June 29) that she wants to understand what’s happening and hopes the behavior will come to an end. She said in the video:
“Guys. In the last week, I’ve seen four different artists get hit by people throwing stuff from the audience. Like, fans. Like, people that bought tickets to come to shows are throwing things at artists. And like, literally people getting hit in the face. What is — what’s happening? What’s happening? What are we doing? Like, that’s scary. That’s scary. Can someone help me understand what is happening there? And like, how do we make it stop?”
Though Ellis didn't point out any artist by name, her Instagram story comes at the heels of an incident in Boise, Idaho, where Kelsea Ballerini performed on Wednesday night (June 28). While she performed a fan-favorite anthem from her latest full-length album, “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too),” an object flew from the crowd and hit her in the face. Ballerini temporarily stopped the show and exits the stage, and addressed safety when she returned. In part, she said to the crowd: “Don’t throw things. …I just want (the show) to be a safe place for everyone. We have little kids here, and just, can you help me do that tonight, please?”
Before that, Bebe Rexha was injured during a New York City concert when a man reportedly threw a phone at her face, ultimately resulting in stitches above her eye. Ava Max tweeted about a shocking moment when a man at her concert jumped on stage and slapped her in the face, and although she didn’t appear to be struck, P!NK appeared stunned when a concertgoer reportedly threw their mother’s ashes on stage during the show.
Ballerini wrote in an Instagram caption on Thursday: “i’m fine, let’s just do a better job of keeping each other safe at shows. ily.” She added in a statement on her Instagram story: “hi. i’m fine. someone threw a bracelet, it hit me in the eye, and it more so just scared me than hurt me. we all have triggers and layers of fears way deeper than what is shown, and that’s why i walked offstage to calm down and make sure myself, band and crew, and the crowd all felt safe to continue. that’s all i ever want, is for shows to feel like a safe place for us all. i love you and appreciate all of the concern, let’s make the last two shows of the heartfirst tour the best yet. 🤍”