Ava Max, the talented American pop star, was left with an injured eye after being struck by a man who rushed the stage during her performance at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. Disturbing videos circulating on social media captured the moment when the incident occurred. As Ava Max delivered her final song, the man can be seen charging towards her and forcefully hitting her in the face.
The 29-year-old singer immediately recoiled in pain, clutching her eye, but displayed remarkable professionalism by completing her performance before exiting the stage. She expressed her dismay on Twitter, stating, “He slapped me so hard that he scratched the inside of my eye. He’s never coming to a show again. Thank you to the fans for being spectacular tonight in LA though!!”
Joel Rangel, a concertgoer who had traveled all the way from Tucson, Arizona, shared his account of the incident. According to him, Ava Max was concluding her set with the song “The Motto” when a fan rushed onto the stage with open arms, seemingly intending to embrace her. In the chaos that ensued, lights fell to the floor, and the man’s arm inadvertently struck Ava Max in the face. Security swiftly apprehended the intruder, but the damage had already been done.
Singer Ava Max slapped by fan on stage pic.twitter.com/R7SNB05Xgd
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) June 21, 2023
Despite her injury, Ava Max made an effort to connect with her fans during a scheduled meet and greet, albeit an hour later than planned. Attendees were met with a disoriented and dazed singer, wearing sunglasses to protect her injured eye. Joel Rangel described the encounter as saddening, noting Ava Max’s condition as she appeared “really out of it.”
This distressing incident involving Ava Max follows a similar occurrence involving singer Bebe Rexha, who was struck by a thrown phone during her performance in New York. Bebe Rexha’s alleged assailant, Nicolas Malvagna, has been charged with assault after confessing to the act, claiming it was intended as a joke.
Such incidents are stark reminders of the importance of ensuring artists’ safety during live performances. Concert organizers and security personnel must remain vigilant in order to prevent such intrusions and protect the well-being of performers like Ava Max, who dedicate themselves to entertaining and connecting with their fans.
