- Lorde Threatened with Arrest by NYPD During Music Video Shoot Chaos in Washington Square Park after fans swarmed the unpermitted event.
- The incident highlights challenges of spontaneous fan events in public spaces and the logistical hurdles in music promotion.
- Lorde’s album Virgin releases on June 27, 2025, with “What Was That?” serving as its lead single.
Lorde, the Grammy-winning artist known for songs like “Royals,” recently recounted a surprising incident involving the NYPD’s antiterrorism squad while filming her latest music video.
During an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the 28-year-old singer shared the story of how her plans to shoot the video for her latest single, “What Was That?”, in Washington Square Park in New York were halted suddenly—leading to police threats of arrest for “inciting a riot.”
The incident, which occurred on April 22, 2025, stemmed from a massive crowd gathering after Lorde promoted the shoot on her Instagram Stories.
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This unexpected confrontation sheds light on the struggles that artists encounter when impromptu fan gatherings clash with local regulations, revealing that even international celebrities are not exempt from law enforcement interventions.
Lorde’s Close Call with the NYPD
Lorde’s Washington Square Park shoot quickly spiraled into chaos when fans, responding to her social media teaser, flooded the location. The NYPD’s antiterrorism unit intervened, warning the singer that stepping onto the premises could lead to her arrest for inciting a riot.
“We had the antiterrorism unit being very intense, telling me if I stepped on the premises I would be arrested for riot incitement,”
Lorde told Colbert. The situation forced her to delay filming for hours before negotiating a last-minute opportunity to capture the footage under strict police supervision.
The NYPD later clarified that the shutdown was due to a lack of permits.
“A sound and parks permit is required to have a concert in a New York City Park. This individual did not possess either,”
a spokesperson stated. Despite the setback, Lorde returned that evening to perform the song for fans, fulfilling her promise amid the turmoil.
Behind the Scenes: A Race Against Time
The stakes were high for Lorde—the video was tied to the 24-hour release window for “What Was That?”, the lead single from her upcoming album, Virgin.
“There was an edit that had to be gotten to very quickly. A lot of dominoes had to fall right for this to work. The NYPD was definitely a spanner,”
she admitted.
Her team’s scramble to salvage the shoot underscores the pressures of modern music promotion, where viral moments and tight deadlines collide with bureaucratic hurdles. Yet, Lorde’s ability to pivot—returning to the park under restricted conditions—showcases her resilience and dedication to connecting with fans.
Fan Reactions and Industry Implications
The incident sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans criticizing the NYPD’s heavy-handed response, while others emphasized the importance of permits for public events. Social media buzzed with clips of Lorde’s eventual performance, where she thanked the crowd:
“You guys are so amazing. I love you so much”.
This isn’t the first time an artist has faced permit-related issues during public shoots, but the involvement of an antiterrorism unit adds a dramatic twist. It also raises questions about how cities balance public safety with creative expression—especially when spontaneous fan gatherings go viral.
Also Read: Netflix’s ‘Building The Band’: Liam Payne’s Last TV Appearance Revealed
Last Updated on June 26, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
