Broadway<\/a><\/strong> icon Audra McDonald is speaking out after a terrifying run-in with an autograph seeker who crossed serious boundaries and left her shaken.<\/p>\n The six-time Tony Award winner took to Instagram over the weekend to detail the disturbing incident, which happened Friday night as she wrapped up her latest turn in Gypsy at the Majestic Theatre.<\/p>\n Audra McDonald explained she\u2019s been avoiding the stage door during this run, a common place where fans wait for signatures, in order to protect her health and conserve her energy. But one determined fan wasn\u2019t willing to take no for an answer.<\/p>\n MEGA<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone \u2026 snuck around and found me the way I had exited from the theater \u2026 and followed me all the way to where I was staying, came into the building, and was uncomfortably close,\u201d McDonald revealed<\/a>. The stage legend admitted the situation rattled her so much that she feared for her safety before finally getting security involved.<\/p>\n When confronted, the autograph seeker allegedly tried to justify their behavior by saying they had traveled a long way just to see her perform, and therefore \u201cdeserved\u201d her signature. McDonald wasn\u2019t having it.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s crossing a big boundary \u2026 that\u2019s now messing with my safety, and it\u2019s not right,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Steven Bergman\/AFF-USA.COM \/ MEGA<\/p>\n The two-time Grammy winner called out the entitled behavior and issued a firm PSA to fans. Respect performers\u2019 space.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you see an actor leave the stage door, if they don\u2019t stop, leave it alone. There is a reason that they\u2019re not stopping, and it has nothing to do with you,\u201d she told her 295,000 followers. \u201cIt\u2019s them protecting their space and peace, whatever that may be.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, McDonald made clear that she appreciates her fans deeply, but safety comes first. \u201cIf the performers do stop, a wave, or take a picture with you or sign an autograph, great, but please respect the proper boundaries.\u201d<\/p>\n Ron Adar \/ M10s \/ MEGA<\/p>\n McDonald\u2019s post also sparked a wave of support from friends and fellow performers who understood exactly what she was going through. Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kecia Lewis chimed in with a powerful message, reminding fans just how much energy Broadway stars give night after night.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I walked past your theater last night I ran into a college girlfriend who had just seen your show. As we were standing and chatting two gentlemen asked my friend and I if you had come out. I told them that you probably wouldn\u2019t for a couple of the reasons you\u2019ve stated here. They were disappointed, but expressed their understanding,\u201d Lewis shared.<\/p>\n She continued with a sharp rebuke for entitled fans, \u201cI hope people watch it and understand that after 2.5 hours of stage time, and an hour or more of prep before performing, and giving 200% of your whole body, soul and spirit to an audience, to then feel that you DESERVE more, is the devil\u2019s work.\u201d<\/p>\nAudra McDonald Issues PSA To Fans After Disturbing Autograph Incident<\/h2>\n
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McDonald Reminds Fans Safety Comes First<\/h2>\n
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Broadway Stars Rally Behind Audra McDonald After Scary Autograph Incident<\/h2>\n
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