LOS ANGELES, United States (Reuters) — The MTV Movie and TV Awards on Sunday (May 7) started out like most events in Los Angeles with stars arriving dressed up in summery outfits fitting for the Southern Californian weather.
However, although organizers were aware there was a chance of rain, nothing prepared them for the hailstorm that ensued, causing the lengthy red carpet to be deserted.
While some stars, like Hailee Steinfeld, fled indoors as soon as the storm began, others, like Billy Ray Cyrus revelled in the storm – even signing autographs.
“I mean, it turns me on, man,” he told Reuters on the red carpet. “I’ve never seen this – a red carpet in LA and the skies open up with hail. Look! It’s on the ground. It’s hail. That doesn’t happen. It’s beautiful, man.”
After it was announced the red carpet, which had turned white with hail, would no longer continue, media and celebrities were moved into a nearby parking lot.
“Transparent” stars Jay Duplass and Trace Lysette arrived bemused to find the red carpet deserted but they offered their own explanation for the events.
“Trump did this,” said Duplass. “Blame it on Trump.”