Unfortunately, Scarlett Johansson’s attempt to get a restraining order against a crazed fan has hit a roadblock. The 39-year-old actress sought protection from Michael Joseph Branham, who she believes is responsible for harassing her and her family. However, the court dismissed her request due to a technical issue – Branham could not be served with the legal papers. This means that all temporary restraining orders against him are now null and void. Johansson has been dealing with Branham’s unwanted attention since August 2022, and things apparently got so serious that she had to take legal action.
Despite Scarlett Johansson’s claims of an alleged stalker causing fear for her family, her request for a restraining order against the individual has been denied. Johansson detailed in her filing that the stalking incidents escalated with the stalker showing up outside her home on multiple occasions. The situation reached a peak when the stalker followed one of her neighbors for over 30 miles, mistaking them for Johansson. This incident left the neighbor so frightened that they reported it to the actress’ assistant. Johansson expressed significant fear and concern for her family’s safety in the rejected restraining order, citing the stalker’s ongoing harassment and ability to travel to her upcoming public events. Additionally, the stalker’s disturbing actions include trying to reach Johansson’s son Cosmo, falsely claiming to be his biological father. These concerning events led Johansson to hire a private investigator to handle the situation at her Los Angeles mansion.
In March 2023, a sneaky Johansson was spotted in a disguise while roaming the busy streets of New York City. She revealed that the unsettling behavior of her stalker had instilled fear and worry in her and her loved ones.
The intruder claimed to be the real father of Johansson’s son Cosmo, who was born in 2021 to her and her husband, comedian Colin Jost. His job was to look into Branham’s recent actions, which included leaving letters and toys outside Johansson’s house. Perkins shared with The Blast that he discovered photos Branham had posted online from outside the residence, with unsettling captions suggesting he planned to stay there indefinitely. The letters reportedly revealed the stalker’s desire to meet Cosmo and be involved in his life as a father. Financial difficulties led Branham to ask Johansson for money and beg for her forgiveness after resorting to theft. This incident is not an isolated case, as many celebrities, like Taylor Swift, encounter obsessive fans. In a similar incident in January, a Swift supporter named ‘David’ was arrested in Manhattan while trying to gain access to her building. This individual had been observed loitering outside her Tribeca apartment on prior occasions.
Johansson is not alone in facing obsessive fans, as singer Taylor Swift has also had her fair share of unwanted attention from overzealous admirers.
An individual was taken into custody in January for allegedly attempting to break into Taylor Swift’s residence in Manhattan. Swift’s Manhattan home in the TriBeCa neighborhood has attracted dedicated fans who often camp out hoping to get a glimpse of the popular singer. In May 2023, a man by the name of Mitchel Taebel, aged 36 and from Indiana, was arrested after showing up at Swift’s Nashville residence following a series of strange incidents. Police reported that Taebel sent photos of weapons to Swift’s team members, making threats to harm them. Additionally, he left a message with Swift’s father claiming to be her ‘soulmate’ and insisting that he was the only one who could keep her safe. In March, Taebel posted a peculiar TikTok video where he encouraged other Taylor Swift fans to be vigilant and monitor Swift’s movements in preparation for the Eras tour. In a separate incident in July 2022, a Brooklyn resident named Joshua Christian caused chaos in court after he was apprehended trying to sneak into Swift’s TriBeCa apartment and making threats through the intercom. During his court appearance, he shouted at the judge demanding proof of the situation, exclaiming, ‘Are you all the biggest jokers in history or are you actually real? Prove it.’
Swift’s immense popularity has gathered a range of questionable followers, like Mitchel Taebel (on the left) and Joshua Christian (on the right).
In September of 2020, Eric Swarbrick, a stalker, was given a 30-month prison sentence for admitting to stalking Taylor Swift by following her and sending her threatening letters.
Swift’s home in the bustling TriBeCa neighborhood of Manhattan has turned into a popular spot for her most dedicated supporters, who often camp out in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the superstar. The intense devotion towards Swift took a dark turn when a man from Texas named Eric Swarbrick pleaded guilty in September 2020 to stalking and sending threatening correspondence to her record label. As a result, he was sentenced to 30 months in prison after sending more than 40 letters and emails to Big Machine Label Group in January 2018. In a candid interview with Elle magazine in 2021, Swift shared her deepening apprehension towards stalkers and unsettling fans. She confessed, ‘My fear of violence has extended to my personal life. I now carry an army-grade bandage dressing in case of gunshot or stab wounds… when you have enough individuals attempting to invade your home, you can’t help but prepare for the worst.’
