Leonardo DiCaprio becomes unfortunate victim of crotch bombing incident at Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The Ukranian journalist managed to stay there for several seconds before he was prized off by a swarm of security guards
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It was only a matter of time before Leonardo DiCaprio suffered at the hands of a red carpet prankster.
But little did he know that the Santa Barbara International Film Festival would host the event – nor that it would involve an extended crotch diving incident to rival all others.
The Wolf of Wall Street star arrived to cheers and screams of delight from the crowd as he turned up and waved to the legions of fans that had gathered to catch a glimpse of him.
But within seconds, Ukranian ‘journalist’ Vitalii Sediuk had lunged towards him, kneeled down, and buried his head in DiCaprio’s privates.
Somehow, he managed to stay there, lingering like a leech on an open wound, for several seconds before he was prized off by a swarm of security guards and flung out of the arena.
Ever the pro, DiCaprio merely smiled and continued his path to the premiere, seemingly unphased by the incident.
Sediuk is, of course, well known to event organisers for staging outlandish stunts.
He was seen diving in Bradley Cooper's crotch at the SAG Awards in January, and was also slapped in the face by Will Smith after he tried to kiss him on the lips at the Russian premiere of Men In Black 3 in 2012.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments