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Internet Calls It “Assault” After Cannes Security Was Filmed Blocking Fourth Celebrity On Red Carpet
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Internet Calls It “Assault” After Cannes Security Was Filmed Blocking Fourth Celebrity On Red Carpet

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The Cannes security guard, who has become notoriously famous for getting into altercations with celebrities, has once again gone viral for physically trying to restrain a Ukrainian model.

The staff member, whose identity still remains undisclosed, was previously seen clashing with former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland, Dominican actor Massiel Taveras, and K-Pop star Yoona.

Highlights
  • The Cannes security guard, famous for altercations with celebrities, clashed with Ukrainian model Sawa Pontyjska
  • Videos of the model being restrained on the red carpet went viral, sparking controversy online
  • The staffer previously had conflicts with Kelly Rowland, Massiel Taveras, and Yoona
  • Colleagues defended the guard, citing the intense pressure to manage crowds and maintain schedules

Now, a fourth name has been added to the list of high-profile guests that the female guard has had a tussle with. Sawa Pontyjska, a model and Miss Europe 2023, was captured on camera trying to pose for flashing cameras on the Cannes red carpet but being physically held back by the security.

A Cannes security guard has sparked controversy online after having altercations with four different high-profile guests

Image credits: pontyjska

Image credits: pontyjska

This time, the Cannes security guard was not only seen jarringly ushering the guest but physically restrained her from trying to spend a few extra moments on top of the steps of the famous staircase of the Palais des Festivals et Des Congrès.

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Several people online were not happy with the behavior as one said, “What the hell is with the security guard?”

“How did cannes festival became like this,” another wrote while a third comment said, “That’s assault I would sue and press charges.”

The headline-making staffer was seen restraining Sawa Pontyjska in a bear hug to stop her from posing for pictures

Image credits: pontyjska

Image credits: Sawa O.S. Pontyjska

The red carpet drama at the iconic French film festival first caused a storm online after R&B sensation Kelly was seen having a verbal spar with the guard.

The 43-year-old singer lashed out at the guard and scolded her for trying to hurriedly usher her inside the venue.

Videos of the Ukrainian model’s run-in with the problematic security guard went viral

@pontyjskaSava Pontyjska, Cannes Marcelo Mio premiere♬ Нафтаґаз – Monrote

“The woman knows what happened. I know what happened. I have a boundary and I stand by those boundaries and that is it,” she told the Associated Press after the scuffle took place.

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The Motivation singer felt she was merely advocating for herself and noted that other women “who did not quite look like me” were not subjected to similar treatment from the guard.

“There were other women that attended that carpet who did not quite look like me and they didn’t get scolded or pushed off or told to get off. I stood my ground and she felt like she had to stand hers. But I stood my ground,” she added.

Kelly Rowland, Dominican actor Massiel Taveras, and K-pop star Yoona were also subjected to similar treatment on the Cannes red carpet

@pontyjska♬ Who Let The Dogs Out – Original – The Doggies

Strike two from the female security guard came when it was Massiel’s turn to walk the Cannes red carpet.

The Dominican actress was dressed in a gown that was accompanied with a long white train, unfolding to reveal an image of Jesus Christ. But when she tried to have her train’s image in full display on the staircase, the security guard in question was seen hastening her to move up the stairs.

Viral videos showed the TV presenter sharing a few heated moments with a bunch of security guards stopping her from posing for cameras.

Massiel Taveras praised Kelly Rowland for the way she handled the red carpet drama

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Image credits: MatrixMysteries

Image credits: melle_cess

Since the dramatic incident, Massiel has shared several posts praising Kelly for the way she chided the guard on the red carpet.

In one post, she wrote a lengthy caption thanking the internet for their support and also praising the Destiny’s Child alum for her retaliation.

“I want to thank all of you for this incredible support, today more than ever we need to stay together , suport eachether [sic] protect our souls , have strong boundaries and stand for our rights,” Massiel wrote in the caption.

“I was tired of the abuse,” Massiel Taveras wrote in a lengthy post about the scuffle

The actress then went on to describe Kelly as a “talented, classy, educated woman of color” and praised her for the way she handled the spat on the red carpet.

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Massiel also noted that she was “tired of the abuse” when it was her turn to walk up the famous staircase.

“Let’s show some love and respect to the extraordinary @kellyrowland a pure soul , a talented, classy , educated woman of color that represents with respect all of US,” she wrote.

Yoona was also blocked from posing for photographs at the top of the famous staircase of the Palais des Festivals et Des Congrès

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Image credits: Hindustan Times

“I’m impressed how you handled sister , I didn’t now that happened to you first I was very impressed how calm and genteel you wr [sic] because in my case I was tired of the abuse , —BLACK WOMAN MATTERS- we are not going to be in silence on situations like that , we need respect ,it’s enough. I hug you queen #kellyrowland , thanks for giving us sooo much god bless your heart,” she continued.

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The problematic staffer continued to be one of the most talked about subjects from the 2024 Cannes film festival after her interaction on the red carpet with actress Lim Yoon-a, better known to fans as Yoona.

The Korean artist was blocked from posing for photographs and appeared to have a flash of disappointment on her face as she was rushed into the venue.

The red carpet drama has divided the internet, with many saying the tsk-tsking guard was going too far, while others maintained she was just doing her job.

The security guard’s colleagues defended her and said she was working under a lot of pressure during the festival

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Binitha Jacob

Binitha Jacob

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Working as a writer for Bored Panda offers an added layer of excitement. By afternoon, I'm fully immersed in the whirlwind of celebrity drama, and by evening, I'm navigating through the bustling universe of likes, shares, and clicks. This role not only allows me to delve into the fascinating world of pop culture but also lets me do what I love: weave words together and tell other people's captivating stories to the world

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Binitha Jacob

Binitha Jacob

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Working as a writer for Bored Panda offers an added layer of excitement. By afternoon, I'm fully immersed in the whirlwind of celebrity drama, and by evening, I'm navigating through the bustling universe of likes, shares, and clicks. This role not only allows me to delve into the fascinating world of pop culture but also lets me do what I love: weave words together and tell other people's captivating stories to the world

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

I am employed as a Visual Editor in the news team. I make sure you have the best pictures near the most interesting text. In general all day I am looking at all you favourite celebrities facies and I am geting payed for it!

Read less »

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I am employed as a Visual Editor in the news team. I make sure you have the best pictures near the most interesting text. In general all day I am looking at all you favourite celebrities facies and I am geting payed for it!

What do you think ?
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Kazza
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let’s talk about these 4 “celebrities” verbally and physically abusing the woman security guard, who is just doing her job, because they refuse to follow the rules. Posing for photo’s is done below on the flat stretch- stopping on the stairs in 4 inch heels and long trains is dangerous for everyone and creates a cluster jam below of other celebrities trying to walk up the stairs and into the event. It’s not allowed and these 4 women knew that but chose to break the rules because they think they are more special than everyone else. The fact that this woman security guard has to put up with verbal and physical abuse by these rule breakers is horrible: the fact that she hasn’t been fired means her boss thinks she is doing her job the way she has been asked to. The 4 rule breaking “celebrities” are the AH here.

FluffyDreg
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah but she doesn't have the right to grab them. I'll admit the last one certainly behsved very inappropriately but the other two who, from what we have on camera boils down to "you don't have a right to touch me."

Load More Replies...
General Anaesthesia
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing to see here, BP. Security people doing their jobs trying to keep people out of harms way, and entitled "do you know who I am" little nobodies seeing cameras and thinking they are special. And yes, "even" Kelly Rowland, whoever that is, is a nobody when it comes to the security job in this day and age.

WindySwede
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And people online agrees with the celeb or say ylthat guard is hateful to just some "celebs"... 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Load More Replies...
BWC
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

FFS! These "ladies" behaving like entitled brats is ridiculous. This last one tried walking back out onto the steps then drops to the floor like a 5 year old in the supermarket cereal aisle. Sheesh🙄

Load More Comments
Kazza
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let’s talk about these 4 “celebrities” verbally and physically abusing the woman security guard, who is just doing her job, because they refuse to follow the rules. Posing for photo’s is done below on the flat stretch- stopping on the stairs in 4 inch heels and long trains is dangerous for everyone and creates a cluster jam below of other celebrities trying to walk up the stairs and into the event. It’s not allowed and these 4 women knew that but chose to break the rules because they think they are more special than everyone else. The fact that this woman security guard has to put up with verbal and physical abuse by these rule breakers is horrible: the fact that she hasn’t been fired means her boss thinks she is doing her job the way she has been asked to. The 4 rule breaking “celebrities” are the AH here.

FluffyDreg
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah but she doesn't have the right to grab them. I'll admit the last one certainly behsved very inappropriately but the other two who, from what we have on camera boils down to "you don't have a right to touch me."

Load More Replies...
General Anaesthesia
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing to see here, BP. Security people doing their jobs trying to keep people out of harms way, and entitled "do you know who I am" little nobodies seeing cameras and thinking they are special. And yes, "even" Kelly Rowland, whoever that is, is a nobody when it comes to the security job in this day and age.

WindySwede
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And people online agrees with the celeb or say ylthat guard is hateful to just some "celebs"... 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Load More Replies...
BWC
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

FFS! These "ladies" behaving like entitled brats is ridiculous. This last one tried walking back out onto the steps then drops to the floor like a 5 year old in the supermarket cereal aisle. Sheesh🙄

Load More Comments
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