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Things didn't exactly go to plan during Octavia Spencer's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony but, thanks to quick thinking from Spencer and her friend and Spirited co-star Will Ferrell, they got back on track pretty quickly.
The Hidden Figures actress' big day was interrupted by a member of the crowd who decided to heckle Spencer and Ferrell, declaring loudly and repeatedly that the event was "celebrating rich people."
The man interrupted with:
"We come to this universe to celebrate rich people! Look at all these rich people!"
Spencer and Ferrell both seemed a bit taken aback at first, but Spencer quickly rebounded.
She told the heckler:
"Ok, honey. Not on my day, Satan!"
Ferrell had just stepped up to the podium to praise Spencer for her achievement, and was actually in the middle of making a joke when the passerby started shouting. He took advantage of the mic to heckle right back.
Ferrell said:
"Not on Octavia’s day! Keep it moving. Keep it moving.
He then waved the man further down the street, saying:
"The wax museum’s down there. That thing is wide open."
He continued, lightening the mood with laughter:
"He’s got powerful lungs. He’s using his diaphragm.
When the man continued yelling, Ferrell said:
"Louder, please. They can’t hear you in Alhambra."
You can view a clip of Ferrell and Spencer responding to the heckler below:
\u201cNot on Octavia Spencer's day! #WalkofFame #Spirited\u201d— THEE PainInMyalgia\ud83c\udf3b\ud83d\udc9b (@THEE PainInMyalgia\ud83c\udf3b\ud83d\udc9b) 1670853158
People had a lot to say about the heckler, and Ferrell's response to him, on social media:
\u201c@ChildPleez007 Why does every major moment have to get interrupted? This appears to have been a "hate the rich" guy but just happened to show up for a rare Black woman's star?\u201d— Portia \u264d\ufe0f McGonagal portiamcgonagal1619 on Insta (@Portia \u264d\ufe0f McGonagal portiamcgonagal1619 on Insta) 1670852037
\u201c@PortiaMcGonagal Will Ferrell has a history of standing up for his female co-workers when men harass them. He\u2019s not my favorite comedian, but he does seem like a damned decent person. \ud83d\udc9c\u201d— Portia \u264d\ufe0f McGonagal portiamcgonagal1619 on Insta (@Portia \u264d\ufe0f McGonagal portiamcgonagal1619 on Insta) 1670852037
\u201cI did not have Will Ferrell shouting down a heckler at Octavia Spencer\u2019s Hollywood Star ceremony on my 2022 Bingo card, but I am here for it.\u201d— Becky Haynes (@Becky Haynes) 1670860079
\u201c@PortiaMcGonagal She\u2019s so deserving of this star! \n\nBut really, Out of all the stars and events this loser had to show up to hers?!\u201d— Portia \u264d\ufe0f McGonagal portiamcgonagal1619 on Insta (@Portia \u264d\ufe0f McGonagal portiamcgonagal1619 on Insta) 1670852037
Ferrell was eventually able to get his words of praise out, saying of Spencer:
"Everyone here who has worked with Octavia knows this: She makes everyone better."
After accepting a certificate from the city of Los Angeles for her achievement, Spencer spoke about the experience:
"It took me a minute to absorb the profundity of this moment. The culmination of my dreams realized, hard work rewarded after a fair but healthy amount of failure and rejection."
The actress later shared her joy on Instagram.