People News
Paparazzi spat with Heath Ledger: 'Bring it on' says snapper
Jan 15, 2006, 12:45 GMT
Australian actor Heath Ledger (L) and his girlfriend Michelle Williams walk the red carpet at the Australian premiere of movie Brokeback Mountain in Melbourne, Tuesday, 10 January 2006. Two US cinemas - one in Utah\'s Salt Lake City, the other in Washington - have decided not to show the movie, which includes intimate scenes between two cowboys, on moral grounds. EPA/JOE CASTRO
Sydney - Paparazzi photographers who fired water pistols at Hollywood heartthrob Heath Ledger said Sunday he would be happy if the young Australian made good on his threat to press charges over the incident at last week's opening in Sydney of gay cowboy film 'Brokeback Mountain'.
Peter Carrette said the spray was in retaliation for a previous incident where Ledger is alleged to have spat at press photographers, a claim the star denies. Ledger's girlfriend and co-star Michelle Williams was also got a little wet on the warm Sydney night.
'Bring it on,' Carrette told Australia's AAP news agency. 'I'd love to see it, because he won't. He doesn't have a leg to stand on. Everything I say is a fact. It's true that he's misbehaved for the past 18 months, but he won't do it again in a hurry.'
Carrette doubted distributor Roadshow Films would make good on its promise to ban the five photographers from future red carpet events.
'They need us more than we need them,' he said. 'I put out to 56 countries of the world and if they don't need that sort of publicity ... they're cutting off their noses to spite their face.'
At the upcoming Golden Globe awards, Ledger has been nominated for best actor and Williams for best supporting actress for 'Brokeback Mountain'.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in People
- 1. Brooke Hogan belongs in TNA
- 2. Johnny Depp to receive MTV Generation award
- 3. Russell Brand praises 'highly attractive' Kim Kardashian
- 4. Florence Welch wants guitarist to date Katy
- 5. Jessica Simpson wears made in USA designs by Eileen West
Older Talkback
page: 1
Really Alex, Which one did you meet and where? I'll bet you didn't and you have no idea what the reasons for spraying Heath were!
He has assaulted and abused several journalists and photographers. Met any of them? Are we all wankers. What about if he had spat on, assaulted or abused you ! What would you do?
I'd guess if you were any sort of respectable type you might punch him !
We didn't because we are professionals and know exactly where Heath would take that sort of reprisal.
Heath would cry for police protection from assassins. So the concensus was for him to be paid back in public so he could not put a 'spin' on the reprisal.
He got a little wet and handled it well. If you look at the pictures from the other side as Heath was trying to cower behind Michelle, she was laughing!
The global publicity from this event went around the world and every one knows what a tosser he is.
As far as the publicists and studios are concerned they have said that they could not have paid for such publicity that would have brought such added attention to the film outside of the gay commotion that was already going on over the release of Brokeback Mountain.
No they're not all wankers, just you, mate. You spin this in such a way that the paparazzi were justified for retaliating. You go on and on about decency and being law abiding, but in a nation of laws (such as Australia), the correct course of action if someone (such as Heath Ledger) spits on you is to press charges. If you don't want to press charges, you turn the other cheek. Not seek revenge, or to publicly shame them - who gives a **** if they're a celebrity, the law in Australia treats everyone equally. As a member of the press (no matter how miserable their role might be), paparazzi are abusing their power by doing something like this. Are they photographers or private citizens? If they're photographers then they should do their job and shut up, I've got news for you - the public HATE paparazzi with a passion. Lawyers and used car salesmen get more respect. I saw the footage of the water pistol incident and immediately was sympathetic to Ledger (is that what they wanted?). I don't care what he did. It was the most passive-aggressive bull I have ever seen. So if they're not photographers, and they're private citizens, then they should take the matter up in private or through the proper channels. The water pistol incident is assault, pure and simple. These guys should consider themselves LUCKY the studio didn't sue them (probably thanks to all the sympathy they generated for Ledger) If you don't like it, then move to Afghanistan!
page: 1
AlexJan 16th, 2006 - 03:05:36
I met one of these paparazzi guys, he was a complete and utter wanker, saying that Heath Ledger deserved the treatment and should show some respect? Come on! Who's the disrespectful one camped out front of his house waiting to invade his privacy? I'll be happy if someone takes action against them. Spit on, Heath.
Report this comment