Hudson Williams appears to have reached a tipping point with individuals following him in public.
The actor from the popular show “Heated Rivalry” was caught on camera in a heated exchange with alleged autograph seekers in Paris over the weekend. Several videos of the incident circulated online, shared by Page Six and celebrity news agency BackGrid via Deux Moi.
In one of the videos, Williams is seen stepping out of a vehicle only to be immediately approached by men requesting his autograph. “Guys, you just followed me to my residence,” Williams expressed. “This is strange. You guys are not fans. You’re acting very creepy by following me, okay? This is not acceptable.”
Footage then shows him taking the photos he was asked to sign and trying to set them on fire using a lighter.
A man is heard apologizing, to which Williams responds, “No apologies, just leave. I would like to see you ride away on your little bike.”
The 25-year-old Canadian actor, accompanied by his girlfriend and three others, is followed by the individuals filming as they head towards a building, some carrying suitcases.
Williams tears up one of the photos and throws the torn pieces on the ground. His girlfriend hands back a folder containing the remaining photos and instructs the person recording to “leave.”
At one instance, one of the men scolds Williams for using explicit language when telling them to leave.
CBC News reached out for further comment from Williams, but there has been no response from his representatives.
Williams has not directly addressed the incident, but shortly after the video surfaced online, he shared an Instagram post from a professional bodyguard he had been collaborating with in Paris.
Opinions on the social media videos have been divided.
Some commenters questioned Williams’ behavior, with one asking, “Who does this actor think he is?” while another wondered, “Why is he acting like a diva?”
However, some fans supported Williams for standing up for himself, stating that he was trying to protect his peace.
There were also discussions around racial and gender biases, with one user pointing out different reactions to BIPOC individuals standing up for themselves compared to white celebrities in similar situations.
Comparisons were drawn to a previous incident involving singer Chappell Roan in Paris, where she was surrounded by fans and autograph seekers.
Many highlighted the double standards faced by women who are expected to interact kindly with paparazzi, while men are praised for asserting themselves.