Audra McDonald Followed Home by Inappropriate Fan

Video

The six-time Tony winner shared the frightening story just before playing her final performance as Rose in Gypsy.

Audra McDonald is no stranger to having fans, even passionate ones. But sometimes, people let their love of their favorite Broadway star go too far and cross the line. The six-time Tony winner had to contend with just that after a recent performance of Gypsy, when a fan followed her home and attempted to confront her in the lobby of her building for an autograph.

Pro-tip: do not do this. Meeting your favorite star and getting their autograph at the stage door can be a fun fan experience, but it’s not a guaranteed part of the Broadway theatregoing experience, and following anyone to a second location is high on the list of no-nos—and that’s putting it mildly.

READ: The Dos and Don’ts of Broadway Stage Dooring

A visibly shaken McDonald took to Instagram after the wild exchange, sharing the story and reminding fans that this behavior is not okay, and not advisable. Watch her share the tale here.

“I have not been doing [the stage door] in Gypsy for a myriad of reasons, the main ones have been because of health and exhaustion and vocal health and trying to conserve as little energy I have, vocal energy, so I can get through the next show,” said the Tony winner, before adding that following performers after they have left the theatre is a “big no no. That’s now messing with my safety. And it’s not right.”

She then added, “When you see an actor leave the stage door, if they don’t stop, leave them alone. There’s a reason that they’re not stopping, it has nothing to do with you. It’s them protecting their space and peace….Please respect the proper boundaries.”

McDonald shared the story just before ending her Tony-nominated run as domineering stage mother Rose in Gypsy at the Majestic Theatre, which played its final performance August 17. With her 11th nomination for her work in Gypsy, McDonald made history becoming the most Tony-nominated performer of all time (along with her previous record of being the most Tony-awarded performer in Tony history, with six).

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