Brad Pitt isn't one to be messed with.
The "World War Z" actor is speaking out for the first time since being attacked last week by notorious red carpet prankster, Vitalii Sediuk. While at the "Maleficent" premiere in Hollywood Sediuk reportedly jumped the security rope and rushed toward the 50-year-old actor.
After making minor contact with Pitt, he was detained by security personnel, arrested and booked for battery. Pitt gave People Magazine his version of what happened when Sediuk approached him while he was signing autographs.
"I was at the end of the line signing autographs, when out the corner of my eye I saw someone stage-diving over the barrier at me," Pitt told People. "I took a step back; this guy had latched onto my lapels. I looked down and the nutter was trying to bury his face in my crotch, so I cracked him twice in the back of the head - not too hard - but enough to get his attention, because he did let go. I think he was then just grabbing for a hand hold because the guys were on him, and he reached up and caught my glasses."
Pitt was not injured during the incident, but was granted an emergency protective order against Sediuk. The prankster told the Associated Press that he was trying to hug Pitt, who attended the premiere with his family to support his fiancé, Angelina Jolie, and the couple's four-year-old daughter, who has a small role in the Disney remake film.
"I don't mind an exhibitionist, but if this guy keeps it up he's going to spoil it for the fans who have waited up all night for an autograph or a selfie, because it will make people more wary to approach a crowd," Pitt continued. "And he should know, if he tries to look up a woman's dress again, he's going to get stomped."
After pleading no contest to battery and unlawful activity at an event, Sediuk was put on a 36-month probation, a year of psychological counseling and 20 days of community labor.
The Ukrainian ex-journalist is famously known for randomly appearing on red carpet events and trying to prank celebrities. He has targeted Bradley Cooper, Leonardo DiCaprio and most recently was caught trying to hide under America Ferrera's dress on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.
"I never hit, I never punched, I never slapped Brad Pitt in the face," he told the AP. "It is something that hurts not only me, but also my family...I'm a normal guy. I'm not crazy."
