UPDATE 2:00 PM PT: Updated to include statement from Josh Homme
Photographer Chelsea Lauren has posted a video on Instagram of her being kicked in the face by Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme during the band’s set at KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas at The Forum in Inglewood on Saturday.
In the video, you can see Homme looking at Lauren as she takes photos and kicks then her in the face. Lauren went back to the photographer’s row to take pictures of other bands, but was later treated at Cedars-Sinai for her injuries.
“People need to realize that it’s not okay just to walk up and assault other people,” she tweeted about the incident. Inglewood police told TheWrap that no police report has been filed as of midday Sunday, though Lauren has said she intends to press charges.
Homme’s kick was just one example of erratic behavior during the set. The singer insulted the booing crowd during the show, calling them “retards” and yelling “F–k Muse!”, referring to that night’s headlining band. He also yelled at one person in the audience, saying “I used to f–k guys like you in prison!”
Yup, that just happened! #qotsa #joshhomme @kroq #KROQXMAS #scarface ???????????? pic.twitter.com/y2R0uKj6jx
— Alexis Moreno (@alexismoreno08) December 10, 2017
Homme has released a statement Sunday afternoon apologizing to Lauren for the incident.
“Last night, while in a state of being lost in performance, I kicked over various lighting and equipment on our stage,” Homme wrote. “Today it was brought to my attention that this included a camera held by photographer Chelsea Lauren. I did not mean for that to happen and I am very sorry. I would never intentionally cause harm to anyone working at or attending one of our shows and I hope Chelsea will accept my sincere apology.”