9 celebrities who have faced terrifying stalkers over the years: from pop stars Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez to actors Colin Farrell and Emma Watson

Feb 1 , 2024

The downside of fame: Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Colin Farrell and Ariana Grande have all suffered distress at the hands of stalkers. Photos: Getty Images; @justinbieber/Instagram; GC Images; Brian Bowen Smith; WireImage

Fame and riches may sound wonderful, but being in the spotlight 24/7 has its share of downsides too – including being followed by obsessive fans who sometimes take it too far

Ariana Grande’s stalker was just sentenced to prison after making around 100 visits to her home, while another man has been arrested twice in three days for loitering around Taylor Swift’s apartment

Being a celebrity seems to have plenty of upsides, but as we all know, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that we don’t see – including serious threats to the safety of those who have dedicated their lives to the entertainment industry.

Taylor Swift lives in the heart of New York. Photo: EPA-EFE

When it comes to celebrity stalkers, what may start out as seemingly innocent obsession can escalate to the point where celebs are made to feel deeply uncomfortable or worse, fear for their lives. In late January, Page Six reported that a 30-year-old man named David Crowe was arrested for the third time since Saturday after he was spotted going through the rubbish bins across the street from Taylor Swift’s US$50 million Tribeca home.

“I just saw him digging through this dumpster, taking out some blankets and then he just went and sat down on the loading dock a few doors down [from Swift’s apartment],” an eyewitness shared with the New York Post.

Per Page Six, the reportedly “emotionally disturbed” man has appeared at the “Anti-Hero” singer’s flat 30 times in the last two months.

It’s not the first time Swift has found herself the target of a creepy follower – and sadly, it’s unlikely to be the last. But which other Hollywood stars have had the horrifying experience of being stalked over the years?

Drew Barrymore and Emma Watson

Drew Barrymore’s stalker took advantage of a chance to run on stage during an interview she was doing. Photo: Getty

Last September, Drew Barrymore’s alleged stalker was arrested after forcibly getting into a New York Fashion Week dressing room, where he was looking for Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, per The Independent. “I want to marry Emma Watson. Let me speak to Emma Watson. Let me take a photo with Emma Watson,” he is reported to have screamed at backstage staff, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.

Emma Watson’s stalker had also been following Drew Barrymore. Photo: @emawatson.only/Instagram

Barrymore had previously been confronted by the same alleged stalker, when he tried to rush onto a stage where the Charlie’s Angels actress was chatting to singer Reneé Rapp, per The Independent.