MUSIC legend Patti LaBelle was “ambushed” by activists posing as fans at a city centre book signing.
The Lady Marmalade and R&B star was stunned as she was suddenly turned on by animal rights protestors who had infiltrated real fans to get up close and personal with her.
Security quickly stepped in to stop the anti-fur protest in its tracks but LaBelle, 72, was clearly unsettled and annoyed that her real fans had been put in danger by the sneaky tactics.
It is the latest in a series of attempts by activists to target celebrities at book signings and grand openings with Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and actor Kylie Jenner also falling victim.
LaBelle was promoting her new recipe book book called Deserts LaBelle: Soulful Sweets to Sing About, at the Barnes & Noble store in Manhattan, New York on April 25 when the group pounced.
Video footage shows the demonstrators having their photo taken with LaBelle before suddenly breaking out into chants, about her her love of fashionable furs.
“Shame on you for supporting the fur industry!” declared one man, before leading the protesters in repeatedly shouting, “Fur trade! Death trade!” and “Patti LaBelle has blood on her hands!”
They also held up signs reading: “Soulless Sister”.
Shoppers and genuine fans attending the signing looked upset with underhand and aggressive tactics but security officials moved very quickly to shuffle the activists out.
LaBelle is an iconic and much loved figure after her worldwide hit with Lady Marmalade which contained the memorable lyric “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?”
The stunt was similar to a protest against Kelly Rowland who was signing her new book in a New Jersey store just a week earlier on April 17.
The singer had been meeting fans and autographing copies of her new parenting book, Whoa, Baby!: A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (And Wonder What the #*@& Just Happened), when she was targeted.
Again activists were posing as fans before suddenly revealing their purpose and attempting to ruin the event.
Rowland had to run out of the main store and into a back room to collect her emotions before returning to resume the signing after security removed the protestors.
Animal rights activists also verbally attacked Kylie Jenner at the grand opening of the Sugar Factory restaurant in Las Vegas on April 27 causing the startled reality TV star to cut short the appearance and abandon the event.
She was posing for photos on the red carpet but was rushed by the chanting protesters objecting to her wearing fur – which she wasn’t doing at the time.
