The Boys star urges fans to 'respect boundaries'
Getty ImagesA star from the hit TV series The Boys has asked people to "respect boundaries" after being made to feel “uncomfortable” by an experience with some fans at Comic-Con Northern Ireland.
In an Instagram story posted on Saturday, Valorie Curry, who plays Firecracker in the Amazon Prime Series, said two people at the event in the Eikon Exhibition Centre outside Lisburn made an "inappropriate request" at the convention at the weekend.
Ms Curry said that while her character had done "some pretty extreme things" on the series, she stated "it's not okay and it's not funny to demand those things from me in person".
Monopoly Events, who helped organise the event, described the incident as "unacceptable".
'It was quite clear I was uncomfortable'
Ms Curry has appeared in series like The Boys, Veronica Mars, The Following, House of Lies, The Tick and The Lost Symbol.
The American actor was appearing at Comic-Con Northern Ireland, on both days of the event, on September 7 and 8.
The event, which sees many fans dress up in costume, gives people opportunities to meet and also pay to get photographs with various celebrities from their favourite TV shows and movies.
In the social media video posted on Saturday, Ms Curry said that she has only started appearing at conventions by herself and “everyone for the most part has been so lovely and so kind and respectful” but wanted to address "what is appropriate in terms of behaviour".
“I don’t care if you are in costume," she said.
"I don’t care if you are in character – it is not OK and it is not funny to have demanded those things from me in person at my booth.
“Frankly, to the person who did that repeatedly - I made it pretty clear it wasn’t OK and that only seemed to make this person and their friend angry.
"I didn't think this needed to be explained, but I was deeply uncomfortable – it was quite clear I was uncomfortable.”
In finishing her video, Ms Curry thanked the fans who met her "without acting disrespectfully".
"Thank you to everyone who I have met today, who I have met at past conventions," she said.
"Everyone who is so respectful and kind and who would never dream of acting this way - If you are thinking about it, if you think it is going to be a bit or a moment it is not and it is honestly just going to make me feel bad.
“Please think about that before coming up to talk to me. Think about what is appropriate and professional."
'A zero tolerance policy'
On Monday, Monopoly Events confirmed they have since been in contact with Ms Curry following the incident.
In a statement to BBC News NI, a spokesperson Monopoly Events said that actors and guests who attend these events "are here as themselves".
"They are not in character or portraying the roles you see on the screen," they said.
"Please treat all of the guests and each other with respect, and be aware that it isn't acceptable to make inappropriate comments regardless of being in cosplay and 'portraying' a character yourself.
"Making a guest, or other person, feel uncomfortable for you and your friends amusement is unacceptable.
"We have a zero tolerance policy to this behaviour and if any guest or member of the public feels harassed, please highlight any concerns you have to a member of our security team.”