At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Tuesday night, Pharrell Williams’ biopic Piece by Piece faced an unexpected interruption as a PETA activist stormed the stage at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The disruption occurred during a post-screening Q&A session where Williams, the film’s producer and subject, was discussing the animated documentary.
The protester, representing the animal rights organization PETA, interrupted the event by loudly chanting, “Stop Torturing Animals.” The activist’s outburst was directed at Williams, criticizing his use of wild animal skins and furs in his role as creative director for Louis Vuitton’s men’s collection. Williams, who was addressing the audience alongside TIFF programmer Anita Lee, responded to the protester’s demands with a calm acknowledgment, saying, “You’re right. You’re right. God Bless You,” before the activist was escorted off the stage by security personnel.
The incident was captured on video and shared by PETA on social media, highlighting the group’s ongoing campaign against the use of animal products in fashion. Tracy Reiman, PETA’s Executive Vice President, issued a statement following the protest. “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,” Reiman said. “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.”
Earlier in the festival, PETA activists also protested during a press screening of Piece by Piece, urging Williams to shift away from using animal products and to embrace cruelty-free alternatives. Their demonstration aimed to draw attention to the ethical issues surrounding animal skin and fur in fashion.
The premiere of Piece by Piece at TIFF was attended by director Morgan Neville and producers Mimi Valdés and Caitrin Rogers. The film, which explores Williams’ journey and features appearances by notable artists such as Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg, continues to attract both acclaim and controversy.
Despite the disruption, the film’s premiere proceeded, with Williams and his team remaining focused on the celebration of the animated biopic’s release.
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