‘It felt so surreal’: 18-year-old speaks out after being kicked out of SZA concert in Vancouver
An 18-year-old who got kicked out of the SZA concert in Vancouver on Sunday is pushing back against claims by Rogers Arena that he was removed after being repeatedly asked to stop dancing in the aisles.
Speaking with CTV News on Tuesday, Naden Forbes says he didn’t do anything wrong—adding he didn’t even start the dance party that spontaneously began before the singer took the stage.
“My sister and I got floor seats and were probably there for five minutes when there a big mosh pit of dancers, so I decided to chime in and do some of my party dance moves,” said Forbes, who traveled to the Lower Mainland from Vancouver Island for his first-ever concert experience over the weekend.
Viral video from the concert shows the moment three security guards interrupt Forbes’ routine to remove him from the scene.
In a statement Monday, a spokesperson for Rogers Arena said it's essential that aisles of the venue are clear during events for accessibility and safety reasons.
“Unfortunately, when fans do not comply after being asked multiple times, they are asked to leave the building.”
But Forbes says he wasn’t told by anyone—let alone a security guard—that he was breaking any rules.
“They didn’t ask me to stop dancing, nothing. It just all happened so fast,” Forbes said. “Both my hands were behind my back as if I was getting handcuffed—it was pretty intense.”
He says the security guards who first escorted him and his sister out of the arena weren’t able to provide an answer as to why the siblings had to leave.
“Straight up this is what the security guard said: ‘Yeah our manager just told us to kick you out,” Forbes told CTV News.
Unsatisfied with that explanation, Forbes said he and his sister decided to go back inside, only to be found by security and escorted out again.
“It felt so surreal, it didn’t even feel like it was happening,” he explained, adding that he asked security for a second time to explain why he couldn’t stay for the show. “Unfortunately, I never got an answer.”
Once again, the siblings decided to go back into Rogers Arena—but did not return to their assigned seats.
“You bet your money we went back into that concert because it’s SZA. Are you kidding me?” Forbes said in a video posted to TikTok Monday which has since racked up tens of thousands of views.
He says he would apologize if he knew what he had done wrong, adding that he’s been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support he’s received since video of the incident went viral.
“I did have a really good time and enjoyed the concert,” said Forbes. “Besides that one little incident that happened twice.”
CTV News has reached out to Rogers Arena for more clarity surrounding their statement that Forbes failed to comply with security’s requests. This story will be updated if a response is received.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.