Percy Jackson actor Walker Scobell, 17, forced to cancel prom over death threats from fans
Topics: TV And Film, Disney, Celebrity, US News
Jen Thomas
Featured Image Credit: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Topics: TV And Film, Disney, Celebrity, US News
Many people long to be famous, but one actor has issued a plea to fans to stop after he had to cancel attending prom due to death threats.
Percy Jackson & The Olympians star Walker Scobell, 17, shared the reality of life as an actor, after it emerged he can no longer go to prom like a normal teenager due to the behaviour of fans.
In the shocking post, Scobell said it was 'kinda weird' he had to even issue a statement, after his followers kept harassing any girl who he could possibly be linked to.
It's one thing for the celeb to have to handle attention, but bringing friends, family and classmates into it was a step too far for the actor from the Disney show.
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He issued a statement on Instagram, pleading with fans to stop the unacceptable behaviour.
He wrote: “Just to let everyone know, I will not be attending prom."
Scobell pleaded: "Please stop sending death threats to EVERY teenage girl who could remotely be associated with me based on their proximity to where I live. It’s not fair to them or to their families."
He added: "Maybe also just stop sending death threats in general. That’s just not cool. Kinda weird I have to say this."
You would hope that people wouldn't need to be told not to send death threats to people, but the actor has sadly had to deal with it from jealous fans.
Fans were quick to defend the star in the comments, and hit out at others who were engaging in such behaviours.
"People who think it's okay to send death threats to anyone for any reason need genuine psychiatric help," wrote one.
"People making this young boy skip one major event of someone school life over them thinking they have a chance with him is insane," added another.
One shocked fan added: "Bruh.....I almost can't believe these people are sending death threats to Walker! That's insane! Who sends these things to a teenager in the first place!? Why do it at all!?"
"So bad, I feel for him. Let the boy breathe, weirdos," slammed one X user.
Another hit out at older fans who obsess over the teen actor: "I feel bad for him... Imagine missing one of the most important days of High School because fully grown adult WEIRDOS are literally sending death threats to High School KIDS... KIDS. They are literally CHILDREN."
"Everyone’s so parasocial like why does this child have to tell most likely grown adults to leave people in his proximity alone. Its gross and weird behaviour," agreed another.
He previously told People about how it was strange dealing with fame and returning to his education, but said having been at the same school from a young age helped: “Because I feel like I know everybody so well, and I’ve known them for such a long time that ... it’s weirder to act like it’s weird,” Scobell told People earlier this year. “I feel like you just accept it right away, and everyone has, which has been super nice for me.”