Pharrell Williams faced a PETA protest during the screening of his upcoming biopic, "Piece By Piece," at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 10, 2024. An animal rights activist disrupted the event, brandishing a sign that read, "Pharrell: Stop Supporting Killing Animals for Fashion," referencing his role as the men's creative director at Louis Vuitton. She also accused him of causing harm to ostriches used in his fashion collections, shouting that they were tortured for their skins.
In response to the protester, Williams acknowledged her claims, saying, "You know what, you're right. God bless you," while encouraging the audience to support the sentiment. After security escorted the protester out, he elaborated on the importance of influence and power to enact change, stating, "Sometimes, when you have plans to change things... you have to get in a situation of power and of influence where you can change people's minds and help progression."
Williams asserted that bringing attention to these issues through disruptive measures may not be the most effective approach. He highlighted ongoing efforts to promote change and emphasized that he was indeed working on these matters, although he felt the protest was a disservice to those conversations.
PETA later issued a statement criticizing Williams for not yet eliminating fur and exotic skins from his collections, urging him to choose faux or vegan alternatives to stop supporting animal cruelty. The film "Piece By Piece," directed by Oscar-winning documentarian Morgan Neville, is set to release in cinemas in the United States on October 11 and in the UK on November 8. It features cameos from notable artists including Daft Punk, Gwen Stefani, Timbaland, and Justin Timberlake.
For more details on Pharrell Williams, visit his official NME page.
For updates on the film, check out here.