The man who accosted Drew Barrymore and actress Reneé Rapp while they were stage the 92Y on Monday, has a criminal record and a history of obsession with female celebrities, according to records and social media posts reviewed by The Daily Beast.
The man, who called himself “Chad Michael Busto,” shouted out from the crowd and approached the stage mid-interview, demanding to meet with Barrymore, according to TMZ.
As seen in video footage from the event, when Barrymore responded, the man shouted, “You know who I am. I need to see you at some point while you’re in New York.” (Representatives for the 92Y did not immediately respond to The Daily Beast’s request for comment.) Rapp quickly stood up and walked Barrymore off the stage, placing herself between the talk-show host and the crowd.
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While Busto was not arrested, he has a colorful history, including several previous brushes with the law, and an internet presence that reveals a recent obsession with Amber Heard.
In March 2023, a user called “C. Michael Busto” joined an online forum devoted to a discussion related to the actress, according to posts viewed by The Daily Beast. A month after joining, “C. Michael Busto” was banned for “sexual harassment,” “threats,” and “stalking,” according to an account posted by one of the forum’s administrators, who said they had discovered his criminal history.
@vidsofceleb Scary moment, thankfully security took care of it. #drewbarrymore #reneerapp ♬ original sound - Edits
Social media posts from the last few months show Busto using X (formerly Twitter) to propose marriage to Heard and send her messages.
In one post, he appears to be removed from a Walmart by staff after accosting shoppers, telling them they were living in the “end times” and that he had proposed marriage to Heard.
“I am still waiting for a reply,” he told people in the store. “I would like everybody's best wishes.”
In other videos, he addressed Heard directly. “I hope we are going to see each other soon. And I love you very much,” Busto said in another video, posted on July 1.
Busto’s run-ins with police go back at least a decade, and span multiple states. He has been arrested for burglary, indecent exposure, making lewd comments to children, and fighting with Trader Joes staff.
After Busto was removed, and Barrymore and Rapp returned to the stage, Barrymore complimented the other actress’ quick thinking and Rapp praised how quickly Barrymore was willing to return. “Well, I have a new definition of your sexiness—it’s that level of protectiveness,” Barrymore joked. “That went full Bodyguard. You are my Kevin Costner!”
According to TMZ, no one filed a formal complaint and Busto was not arrested.
Read it at TMZ
