LOS ANGELES
AFP
A Ukrainian television prankster who gatecrashed this year’s Grammy Awards show has been charged and could face up to six months in jail, US officials said.
Vitalii Sediuk managed to get into a VIP seating area at the music industry’s biggest awards show on February 10 and walked up on stage just as British singer Adele stepped up to receive her award.
The 24-year-old - a known prankster, who kissed Will Smith at a red carpet event in Moscow last year - was noticed by Jennifer Lopez and quickly escorted off stage without any fuss.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office charged him with one count of willfully leaving a spectator area and entering a performance area and one count of interfering and delaying program participants.
“The safety and protection of both participants and attendees of major events held in this city is a priority of my office,” said City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.
“In this age of heightened security, any person who intentionally crosses that line and acts in an irresponsible manner will be held accountable for his or her actions,” he added.
If convicted, Sediuk could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for each count. He will be arraigned on May 31 in Los Angeles, said a statement from his office.
Sediuk gained notoriety last year when he managed to kiss Hollywood A-lister and “Men in Black” star Smith at a Moscow media event, earning a slap from the star, in a video widely seen on YouTube.