Gillian Anderson breaks silence on controversial fan interaction outside theatre show
Updated . First published
Gillian Anderson has hit back at a video going viral on social media involving an apparent confrontation with fans outside her West End show.
The actress, 58, was caught on camera telling a group of fans they couldn’t sit in the front row of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, but it turns out there’s more to the story.
Gillian Anderson has revealed the real story behind a confrontation with fans outside her West End show, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Instagram/@gilliana
In the clip, which was filmed outside the Sohoplace Theatre in London, Anderson told the group of fans, “You guys cannot sit in the front row.”
The group apologised, but Anderson doubled down.
“I don’t care. You cannot sit in the front row. It’s so distracting. You can’t come 20 times and sit in the front row, it’ll drive me mad,” she fired back.
But, there’s a reason why she was so blunt with the group, addressing the truth behind the moment in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Read more
Michael Flatley announces the death of his wife, Niamh O’Brien at age 52: ‘My heart is broken’
“Hi everyone, just to say – the video doing the rounds is me talking with women I go back over 20 years with. Please don’t say anything negative to or about them,” the post started.
“We’re thrilled to be doing this show, but for people in the front row, please be aware that in such an intimate venue, we can all see you. Sometimes, it can be a tad distracting!
“That’s all. All good.”
The initial video divided opinion online, with some defending Anderson – while others sided with her fans.
“How difficult it must have been for Gillian to perform and stay in character while she is so uncomfortable due to someone’s presence… it’s actively making it worse for the rest of the audience because everyone gets a poor show due to one person’s behaviour,” one fan posted on X.
Another added: “The fact that she had to say that and they still don’t take her discomfort seriously is so weird 😵💫😵💫😵💫 like why would they as a fan want to make their fave uncomfortable like this.”
Fans and social media commentators were divided on Anderson’s behaviour. Getty
But not everyone agreed with that take, and others thought it was strange she had an issue with fans sitting in the front row.
“Nah this is weird on Gillian’s part. They’re allowed to want to see her in a play & sit where they want,” one person shared on X.
Anderson stars in the production alongside Billy Crudup.
The show opened on September 21, and will run through until December 19.
