HOLLYWOOD: A Ukrainian television prankster who gatecrashed the Grammy's has been warned not to try the same at this weekend's Oscars show, according to a lawyer's letter.

Vitalii Sediuk, who kissed Will Smith at a red carpet event in Moscow last year, was warned he would face prosecution if he tries to attend Sunday's show, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Sediuk managed to get onto the Grammys stage as British songstress Adele was walking up to receive an award earlier this month, appearing briefly on TV screens, in his latest publicity stunt.

He did scores of media interviews in the wake of the prank, in at least one recalling how he had dreamed about receiving an award at the Oscars.

The media-savvy Ukrainian even went to the Oscars press accreditation office in Los Angeles this week to try to pick up a media badge on behalf of Eurovision, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

But the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes Sunday's climax to Tinseltown's annual awards season, sent a lawyer's letter making it clear he is not welcome.

The letter, a copy of which was published on the industry journal's website, told him he “will be arrested and prosecuted” if he tries to attend the Oscars or the Governors Ball official after-party.

“For security reasons... the Academy cannot permit uninvited persons to attend,” it said.

“Therefore (it) is forced to arrest such persons to ensure the safety of its invited guests and deter others from attempting to crash those events,”added the letter, signed by attorney David Quinto.

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.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.