The premiere of Pharrell Williams’ new film, “Piece By Piece,” faced an unexpected interruption during the London Film Festival. Animal rights activists disrupted the screening at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, demanding an end to the use of animal skins and furs by Louis Vuitton, the fashion house for which Williams serves as men’s creative director.
While onstage at the time, Williams remained composed, applauding the protesters and responding with “God bless you.” As the activists were escorted out, he addressed the audience, stating, “The changes they seek don’t happen overnight. It takes a lot of planning, and we are working on those things. But they want to be heard, so we heard them.”
This incident was not isolated; it was the second major disruption of the film’s screenings, the first occurring at the Toronto Film Festival last month. Following the London event, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) took responsibility for the protest, urging Williams to reconsider his use of wild-animal skins in his Louis Vuitton designs.
Prior to the disruption, Williams had posed with his life-sized Lego counterpart on the red carpet. “Piece By Piece,” directed by Morgan Neville, chronicles Williams’ journey from his early life in Virginia to his emergence as a music sensation, all told through the innovative medium of Lego bricks. The film is set to be released in the UK next month and has garnered generally positive reviews for its unique approach to the biopic genre.
At the Toronto screening, a woman had also confronted Williams onstage, urging him to “stop supporting killing animals for fashion.” He acknowledged her concerns, stating, “You’re right. God bless you. It’s OK. Everybody give her a round of applause, please.” He elaborated on the need for patience and influence to effect real change, reminding the audience that progress often requires time and effort.
Williams, known for hits like “Happy” and as one half of the production duo the Neptunes, aims to utilize his platform to inspire meaningful conversations. As we look ahead, the discussion surrounding fashion’s impact on animal rights remains more relevant than ever.
