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TikTok star Bryce Hall has power shut off at Los Angeles home after hosting huge house parties
Influencer hosted a 21st birthday party for himself on 14 August
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Your support makes all the difference.TikTok star Bryce Hall has had the power at his rented home in Los Angeles cut off after throwing a house party amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.
On Thursday, the New York Times reported that the city cut the power at the 21-year-old’s Hollywood Hills mansion, where he lives with TikTok stars Noah Beck and Blake Gray, after footage from a party hosted by Hall on 14 August for his birthday went viral.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti confirmed in a statement shared on Twitter that he had authorised the power to be shut off at a home in Hollywood Hills, but did not identify the owner by name.
“Today I authorised the city to disconnect utility service at a house in the Hollywood Hills to stop the large parties held there in flagrant violation of our public health orders,” Garcetti said. “Parties like these can quickly and easily spread the virus and put our communities at risk.”
In a separate statement, the mayor reiterated the importance of following social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic in an effort to “get back to our normal lives”.
“With more than 2,000 Angelenos - and over 170,000 Americans - lost to Covid-19, we need every resident to undertake critical safeguards to stop the spread of this virus,” he said. “That includes not hosting or attending parties that put themselves, their neighbours, and many others at risk.
“Despite several warnings, this house has turned into a nightclub in the hills, hosting large gatherings in flagrant violation of our public health orders. The city has now disconnected utilities at this home to stop these parties that endanger our community.
“If we wish to reopen more businesses, return our kids to school, or get back to our normal lives, we must continue to wear masks, wash our hands frequently, and as we’re emphasising today, avoid gathering with others. All of these actions save lives.”
The mayor’s office later confirmed to the New York Times that it was Hall’s residence that had had the power cut, which the outlet notes was not the rented home where the influencer hosted his birthday party.
The move comes after the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a public statement on 4 August regarding the high risk of house parties and the spread of coronavirus.
“The highest-risk settings are large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least six feet apart and where face coverings are not worn," the statement read. "The consequences of these large parties ripple throughout our entire community because the virus can quickly and easily spread."
A day after, Garcetti said in a statement that he had authorised utility shut offs at residences hosting large parties, gatherings or events.
According to the mayor’s office, the residence held large gatherings on 8 August and 14 August, with the first party reportedly resulting in the Los Angeles Police Department posting warnings on the property “providing notice that violations of the order are subject to civil and criminal penalties.”
The mayor’s office also states that the police visited the residence again on 14 August, where they posted a “final notice”.
According to New York Times reporter Taylor Lorenz, while the power has been shut off, the water is still working at the influencer's home.
While Hall has not publicly commented on the matter, he did upload a TikTok set to the song Electric Love by OkHun on Wednesday, prompting comedian Elijah Daniel to comment: “Looks dark in there, turn on the lights.”
@brycehall mornin @blakegray
♬ electric love - okhun
Hall is not the only influencer to face criticism for hosting and attending large parties amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In July, Tana Mongeau and James Charles publicly apologised to their followers after they were seen partying on social media.
The Independent has contacted Hall for comment.
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