During the season premiere of Dancing With the Stars Monday night, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte’s debut on the dancing competition was interrupted by men who attempted to rush the stage.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that two Los Angeles men were arrested on suspicion of trespassing and were in police custody.
Sododeh and Soroudi were “authorized” audience members who changed their clothes once inside the soundstage, according to LAPD Officer Mike Lopez. The pair “unlawfully entered the stage in an attempt to confront Mr. Lochte,” Lopez said. “No dancers or celebrities were touched” during the incident, Lopez added.
Video posted on social media taken from the audience section showed a group of women wearing shirts with the same anti-Lochte symbol. They chanted “liar, liar” before being ushered out by security.
Lochte has been under fire for claims he made about being robbed at gunpoint during the Rio summer Olympic games last month, a claim he later recanted.
The arrests were made around 7:40 p.m. PT, Lopez said. The incident began just as Lochte and dancing partner Cheryl Burke were hearing the judges’ opinions of their performance during the telecast, and two men appeared to rush the stage. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba was heard yelling, “Excuse me! Hey, back off!” A figure could briefly be seen rushing in front of the camera.
