Pharrell was confronted by an animal rights activist at the premiere of his LEGO-themed biopic in Toronto this week.
A protester representing PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) interrupted the “Happy” hitmaker during a post-screening Q&A session for his film, Piece by Piece, on Monday (September 9) at the Princess of Wales Theatre during the Toronto Film Festival.
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The activist took issue with Pharrell, who is the creative director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, using wild animal skins and fur in his collections for the luxury fashion house.
The unnamed female protester yelled out: “Stop torturing animals!” while holding up a sign that read: “Pharrell: Stop Supporting Killing Animals for Fashion.”
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Pharrell appeared unflustered as he responded by telling the protestor: “You’re right. You’re right. You’re right. God bless you,” before urging the crowd to give her a round of applause.
However, the activist ignored the N.E.R.D. legend and continued her protest before being escorted out of the venue by security.
A video of the moment was shared on PETA’s officcial Instagram page, with the organization writing: “We CRASHED @pharrell’s @piecebypiecefilm premiere at @tiff_net to remind the @louisvuitton men’s creative director that animals suffer for fur & wildlife skins.
“Do the right thing and switch to faux & vegan alternatives NOW!”
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PETA executive VP Tracy Reiman added in a statement: “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.”
The rapper, producer and fashion designer previously drew the ire of PETA last year with his “Millionaire” Speedy bag for Louis Vuitton.
The luxury item, priced at a staggering $1 million, was made out of crocodile skin, angering animal rights activists.
PETA Senior VP Lisa Lange slammed Pharrell in an open letter, accusing him of furthering the abuse of animals.
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“When you were made men’s creative director of Louis Vuitton, we hoped animals would get lucky and that you would choose vegan fabrics, which are the preference of today’s ethical and environmentally conscious consumers,” she wrote.
“But we aren’t happy to note your newest design, the ‘Millionaire’ Speedy bag, which is crafted from crocodile skin, because when it comes to animals being used for fashion, it isn’t beautiful — it’s abuse.”
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After detailing the cruel conditions under which such products are made, Lange invited Pharrell on “a less-than-luxurious tour of a filthy (for that’s what they are) crocodile factory farm” so he could “see the living origins of your ‘Millionaire’ bag.”
“You’d want to bring along nose plugs and high boots to wade through fetid, waste-filled water,” she added. “If we go to an indoor tank, also bring a flashlight, because you won’t see daylight. There are no blurred lines here. Killing wildlife for a bag isn’t cool — it’s cold. Are you up for this trip?”
