Coachella is as famous for surprise celeb sightings as it is for headline sets. A recent Reddit thread on r/coachella got festival-goers to spill their best celebrity interactions — everything from backstage niceties to accidental run-ins in the crowd. Here are the highlights (and a few gentle reminders on how to handle a celeb sighting like a pro).
Top fan stories
– Dave Grohl recognition: One user who does Safari weekend 2 says they’ve run into Grohl multiple times in guest pits. By 2023 he was nodding when they crossed paths; in 2024 he even gave them a head nod mid-stage while shredding Everlong with an orchestra. Small moments like that go a long way.
– Tyler, Björk and Blink-182 vibes: A lucky fan who was backstage for Dominic Fike ended up in VIP and bumped into Tyler the Creator during Björk — they ended up vibing together through Blink-182.
– Four Tet moment: A fan chasing Calvin Harris ran into Four Tet in the crowd, grabbed blurry selfies and a quick video — a rare low-key encounter with a DJ before a big set.
– Skrillex, Tony Hawk and friends-in-the-crowd: People reported standing near Skrillex during What So Not, spotting Tony Hawk at Skrillex’s set with his kid on his shoulders, and casually seeing artists like Tom DeLonge and members of Justice during sets.
– Surprise kindness: Carley Rae Jepsen stopped for a pic with a fan and their kid, a moment the family turned into a keepsake throw blanket. Another user described Lola Young spending five minutes talking with a fan about her music and ending with hugs.
– Randoms and awkward moments: Jaden Smith playing off a sunglasses drop, Bella Thorne posing with a big photo detail, and a fan who smoked a joint with Justin Bieber (three hits) in an artist area — a reminder that anything can happen in the festival flow.
Notable name-drops: Mark Ruffalo, Bowen Yang, Dita Von Teese, Diplo, Post Malone, Bad Bunny (and a sweet backyard moment of holding hands at the rail), Gesaffelstein and members of Justice.
What to take away
– Don’t chase celebs: Multiple users advised against hunting for autographs or photos. If you happen upon someone, be respectful and read the room — many celebs are there to enjoy the music.
– Week 1 = more influencers/celeb sightings: Several commenters noted Week 1 tends to attract more high-profile attendees.
– Be cool and make real connections: Fans said it’s better to chase friendships and moments than clout. Exchange socials, be polite, and don’t disrupt the vibe.
– Keep it chill and safe: If you spot someone you admire, a quick compliment or a photo request is fine — but don’t invade privacy or interfere with security/staff.
Want to share your own Coachella celebrity story or a wild festival encounter? Drop it in the comments and we might feature it in a future roundup. Peace, good music, and keep those vibes high.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Coachella/comments/1rah841/what_is_your_coolest_celebrity_interaction_at/