Pete Davidson fans forced to sign $1m non-disclosure agreements before being allowed into stand-up show
It comes just weeks after he called a college audience 'privileged little a**holes' for using their phones during the event
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.Fans attending a stand-up show by Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDA) in order to see the show - barring them from giving any interviews, opinions or critiques of the performance afterwards.
The comic appeared at Sydney Goldstein Theatre in San Francisco on his latest tour stop, and fans with tickets were emailed just a few hours in advance informing them that in order to attend, they had to sign the legally binding agreement, which would leave them open to paying $1m (£770,000) in damages if broken.
The agreement even barred fans from posting about the show to their own social media accounts.
They were told that anyone “unable or unwilling” to sign it would not be allowed to enter, and instead be given a full refund, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Customers were urged to “save time at the venue” by printing and signing the legal document to present at the door.
Audience members had already been told to secure their phones and smartwatches in a locked pouch before the show, and that any recording devices were barred.
According to the Chronicle, employees only found out about the NDA request on Tuesday. The Independent has contact the theatre for comment.
One fan posted an image of a clipboard to Twitter and said: "Signed my first NDA at a comedy show. Worth it."
But another asked: "Why do i have to sign an NDA to see a Pete Davidson show? Is this normal? Do I need a lawyer?"
Live Nation, which is producing on the show, did not respond to a request for comment.
Davidson, 25, often makes headlines for more than his comedy - in June last year, he confirmed that he and singer Ariana Grande were engaged. Months later it was called off.
In August he called the audience at a University of Central Florida show “privileged little a**holes” for using their phones during the event.
“Whenever somebody else comes to your f***ing town and is exhausted and flies all the way to the middle of f***ing nowhere to do jokes for you privileged little a**holes, don’t f***ing ruin the show for people who actually want to be here,” he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments