An unknown person tried to interrupt Drew Barrymore’s interview with Reneé Rapp in New York on Monday.
The talk show host and Santa Clarita Diet star appeared at the 92nd Street Y as part of the Recanati-Kaplan Talks series for a conversation and performance supporting the release of singer-songwriter and actress Reneé Rapp’s new LP Snow Angel.
Just a few minutes into their conversation, a man in the crowd interrupted their discussion at the Upper East Side event space, briskly walking down the aisle toward the stage after shouting Barrymore’s name. The man identified himself before speaking to the actress by a name that sounded like Chad Michael Busto, according to a Hollywood Reporter writer who was present, as well as other outlets who reported on the disruption captured by an attendee and posted to TikTok.
@vidsofceleb Scary moment, thankfully security took care of it. #drewbarrymore #reneerapp ? original sound – Edits
A Drew Barrymore stalker was escorted out of her 92NY event with Reneé Rapp after rushing the stage. pic.twitter.com/8FKqaWzgU8
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 22, 2023
In response to hearing her name, Barrymore looked out into the crowd and shouted, “Oh my god, yes, hi!” The man then responded, “You know who I am. I need to see you at some point while I’m in New York.”
Rapp, who was seated in an armchair next to Barrymore, stood and walked over to the actress, putting her arm around Barrymore and escorting her off the stage. A member of the venue’s security team then removed the individual, who was at that point in the front row of the auditorium, from the theater.
When the two returned to the stage a few minutes later and resumed their conversation, Rapp shared that Barrymore confirmed she was “good.” Barrymore then praised and joked with Rapp about her protective skills as a cheering crowd shouted “We love you, Drew!”
“I have a new definition of your sexiness. It’s that level of protectiveness,” Barrymore told Rapp in response to the singer’s swift action. “OK, so what were we talking about?”
The rest of the event continued uninterrupted, with Barrymore interviewing Rapp about her new album and renewed focus on music, after previously appearing in the Mean Girls musical on Broadway (Rapp is also set to star in the film version of the musical) and in Mindy Kaling’s television series Sex Lives of College Girls.
As the event concluded, Barrymore exited the stage as planned, leaving Rapp to perform three songs, including two from her new LP. Rapp also thanked the audience for remaining calm and staying safe during the earlier incident.
A representative from the NYPD told THR that there were no reports on file in relation to this incident. THR has reached out to reps for Barrymore and the 92Y for comment.
