Luke Bryan Takes a Hit: Unpacking the Shocking Concert Incident!
STRESS BALL GATE: Luke Bryan Speaks Out After Being Hit in the Face During North Dakota State Fair Performance
The country music scene was left reeling over the weekend when none other than country superstar Luke Bryan found himself on the receiving end of a flying stress ball during his electrifying performance at the North Dakota State Fair. The 49-year-old singer, known for his high-energy shows and hits like "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)," remained unflappable as he took the hit mid-song but afterwards broke his silence to reveal just how shaken he was by the incident.
In an exclusive interview with Taste of Country, Luke shared his thoughts on the bizarre incident, sounding surprisingly forgiving despite being left battered and bruised. "It's the last song of the night," he recalled. "It was a big ole fun party, and I think one person just took it too far." The usually affable singer revealed that if he had seen who threw the stress ball, he might have been tempted to confront them, but ultimately decided against it, citing concerns for the safety of both himself and the crowd – particularly the little kids in attendance.
"If I saw him throw it, I could have gone right to him," Luke mused. "I probably would have jumped right off in there." However, he wisely recognized that taking action on stage would only serve to ruin the show, and instead opted to brush it off and continue with his set. "If I jump off in there... there were a lot of little kids down there," he said thoughtfully. "At that point, if I'd even stopped it and pointed somebody out, it kills the vibe of the show."
Eyewitnesses who witnessed the incident – which was captured on fan video and shared on TikTok – marveled at Luke's professionalism in the face of adversity. "Poor @LukeBryan got hit in the face during his encore," one viewer wrote. "Carried on like a champ though!" Another fan quipped, "Who throws something at someone they paid to see?"
According to KFYR-TV, the American Idol judge was hit by the stress ball while singing his hit song "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)" on Saturday night. The news outlet reported that Chief Deputy Larry Hubbard of the Ward County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the incident involved a small plush or stress ball and that authorities have yet to identify the culprit.
The sheriff's office has faced criticism for not doing enough to prevent such incidents in the past. "It is an issue, especially when they are throwing it at all, but when they're throwing it at the stage, at the artist," Hubbard acknowledged candidly. "I think it paints the event in a bad light." The sheriff's office has previously announced that attendees will be warned before each concert not to throw objects on stage.
The latest incident joins an alarming trend of artists being targeted by audience members during performances. In May, SZA walked out of a meet-and-greet after a fan threw a bracelet at her. Bebe Rexha was hit in the face with a cell phone during a New York concert just last month, requiring stitches for a cut above her eye.
Pink's fans also made headlines when a supporter tossed what was reported to be their mother's ashes onto the stage during one of her concerts. Other high-profile artists like Harry Styles, Cardi B, Lil Nas X, and Drake have also been targeted mid-performance.
Taylor Swift has been vocal about how unsettling it is for objects to be thrown on her stage. "If it’s on the stage, then a dancer could trip on it," she recently shared with an audience in Buenos Aires during one of her Eras Tour shows. "I love that you brought presents and that is so nice, but just, can you please not throw them on the stage? I love you so much."
While Luke Bryan's incident ended without serious injury, fans are calling for greater accountability and respect for artists. It remains to be seen whether authorities will take further action in this case.