Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Emily Richardson | Celebrity | August 22, 2023
Yesterday, Drew Barrymore hosted a conversation with Renée Rapp at the 92nd Street Y. Renée (Regina George in Mean Girls the musical, exiting star of The Sex Lives of College Girls), was there to talk about her debut pop album, Snow Angel, followed by an “intimate, special performance.” The chat was open to the public, with tickets starting at $25.
Unfortunately, near the beginning of the interview, something weird happened. Drew was interrupted by an audience member, who shouted, “Drew Barrymore!” In video footage of the incident, Drew seems startled, but tries to play along: “Oh my god, yes? Hi!” However, it soon becomes apparent that the audience member is trying to rush the stage. As he approaches Drew, he says: “I’m Chad Michael Busto, you know who I am. I need to see you at some point while you’re in New York.” A stalker with three names? No thank you, please!
Two security guards immediately sprung into action and blocked Chad Michael Busto from getting onstage. Renée Rapp was also on the ball; she jumped up, grabbed Drew, and ushered her offstage. Scary! Here’s the video:
A Drew Barrymore stalker was escorted out of her 92NY event with Reneé Rapp after rushing the stage. pic.twitter.com/8FKqaWzgU8
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 22, 2023
After a few awkward moments, a staff member came out to apologize to the audience and ask that they “give us one minute.” Shortly after, Drew and Reneé returned to the stage and addressed the incident, with Drew joking:
“Well, I have a new definition of your sexiness, it’s that level of protectiveness. That went full ‘Bodyguard.’ You are my Kevin Costner.”
Renée also shared that Drew was eager to return to the interview: “They were like, ‘Hey, do you need anything? Just a sec?’ She was like ‘Oh no, I’ve got it, I’m good.’”
An audience member (not Chad Michael Busto) told Insider that they were “very nervous” once they realized the man wasn’t a planned guest. But Renée and Drew remaining calm and poised “set the tone for the auditorium”. Another person who attended the event shared their thoughts on Twitter:
It was such an amazing time despite the alarming hiccup in the beginning with Drew’s stalker. Both handled it like bosses, and recovered quickly to continue an awesome conversation. 🫶🏻 https://t.co/smf68TJfRF
— McKenzie (@McKenzieLyn) August 22, 2023
Stalking is always scary, but Drew Barrymore? Drew Barrymore? That’s the last celebrity I ever wanna see in danger. And the fact that this guy said, “You know who I am” tells us this isn’t the first time he’s tried to make contact with Drew.
A quick Google of Chad Michael Busto reveals that he has a history of legal troubles and mental health issues (or it’s another guy named Chad Michael Busto, but that seems unlikely): in 2009, Chad was arrested for commercial burglary in Santa Monica. In 2017, he was arrested for “exposing himself in the ocean” at Myrtle Beach. There’s also a pretty wild lawsuit from 2021, Busto v. Everything. Hoo boy. Stay safe, Drew!
