Celebrities calling out photographers on the red carpet, including Millie Bobby Brown and Chappell Roa

Celebrities are no strangers to red carpets.

Posing in front of flashing lights with countless photographers battling for their attention comes part and parcel with the job of a star. 

But even the most seasoned celebrities can be pushed a little too far, and will call out the behaviour of the sometimes overzealous media pack.

Years ago, stars who called out the behaviour of photographers and paparazzi were often met with an exhausted sigh, but these days fans seem to be backing their favourites when they stand up to certain antics on the red carpet.

From Millie Bobby Brown to Chappell Roan, let’s take a look at some of the stars who have called out photographers on the red carpet. 

Millie Bobby Brown

Earlier this week, Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown called out photographers who told her to smile on the red carpet before promptly storming off.

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The actress, 21, had emerged at the London premiere of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things when a number of photographers could be heard repeatedly telling Brown to “smile”, a request that appeared to offend her. 

“Smile? You smile,” she said, seeming unimpressed, before walking away from the media wall. 

The clip went viral on TikTok, with many fans praising Brown’s response. 

“I’m so glad she’s standing up for herself,” one TikToker wrote. 

Chappell Roan

Others in the comment section of the Millie Bobby Brown video made comparisons between her and Chappell Roan, who famously called out a photographer on the red carpet at the MTV VMAs last year.

The pop star was adjusting her dress while posing on the red carpet when a photographer reportedly yelled out to her, “Shut the f–k up”.

Roan then turned around and pointed to the photographer, shouting back, “You shut the f–-k up”.

When asked later about the incident by Entertainment Tonight, she explained: “It’s quite overwhelming and quite scary … the carpet is horrifying… You don’t get to yell at me like that.” 

It’s not the only time the Pink Pony Club singer has called out photographers for their behaviour. 

On another occasion, Roan confronted a photographer on the red carpet of the world premiere of Olivia Rodrigo: Guts World Tour.

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She claimed the photographer had been “disrespectful” to her at a previous event and demanded an apology. 

“You were so rude to me. I deserve an apology for that,” she told them over the red carpet barrier. 

It is unclear whether she got that apology but fans appear to be lapping up Roan’s approach. 

“Chappell Roan is paving the way for these young women,” one fan wrote under a TikTok video of Brown’s recent red carpet encounter. 

Hannah Waddingham

Last year, Hannah Waddingham was cheered by a crowd after she reacted to a photographer who allegedly asked her to show some leg while stopping for photos outside London’s Royal Albert Hall ahead of the Olivier Awards ceremony. 

In a video which was shared to X, the alleged request isn’t clear but the Ted Lasso star’s response is crystal.

“Oh my God, you’d never say that to a man, my friend,” she said. 

“Don’t be a dick, otherwise I’ll move off. Don’t say, ‘Show me leg.’ No.”

She then walked away and pointed, saying, “Have some manners.”

Fans could be heard in the background of the footage cheering and applauding Waddingham for her response.

Denzel Washington

It’s not just famous women who have been standing up for themselves. 

Earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, Denzel Washington got into a heated exchange with a photographer.

The actor, who was attending the film festival for the premiere of his new film Highest 2 Lowest, was chatting to director Spike Lee on the red carpet when one photographer grabbed his suit jacket in an attempt to get his attention. 

In footage that captured the moment, Washington turned towards the photographer to confront him. 

He could be seen pointing in the photographer’s face repeatedly while the man laughed and once again grabbed Washington’s arm. 

Washington appeared to tell the photographer “stop” multiple times during the exchange.

It appears to be becoming more and more common for celebrities to call out certain behaviour on red carpets.

So, we’re likely to see more moments like these in the future.

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