A former Ukrainian television reporter who rushed at Brad Pitt during a red-carpet movie premiere in Hollywood pleaded no contest on May 30 to a pair of misdemeanor charges, including battery, and was placed on three years probation.
Vitalii Sediuk, 25, was also ordered to perform 20 days of community labor, undergo psychological counseling and stay away from future red carpet or celebrity events. The notorious red-carpet prankster was also ordered to remain at least 500 yards away from Pitt and his fiancee, Angelina Jolie, and stay away from the Hollywood & Highland Center – the home of the Academy Awards.
Sediuk pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and unlawful activity at a sporting event, theatrical event or exhibition. Two additional charges against him – assault and unlawful delay or interference of a sporting or theatrical event – were dismissed as part of the plea deal with the City Attorney’s Office.
Sediuk was arrested during the red carpet premiere of Jolie’s movie Maleficent at the El Capitan in the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard Wednesday night. He rushed the red carpet as Pitt and Jolie made their way through the throng of photographers, and managed to make “contact” with the actor’s face, police said. Pitt was not injured.
The attack on Pitt was the latest celebrity escapade by Sediuk, who was already on probation for walking on stage during the 2013 Grammy Awards. As part of his plea agreement today, Sediuk was also ordered to remain at least 100 yards away from L.A. Live – the downtown Los Angeles entertainment complex adjacent to Staples Center, where the Grammy Awards are held.
Sediuk, a former reporter for the Ukrainian 1+1 television channel, has also had other red carpet run-ins with celebrities. He rushed a red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival and stuck his head under actress America Ferrera’s gown. He also hugged Bradley Cooper on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in January and tried to kiss Will Smith during the Moscow premiere of Men in Black 3.
