KUALA LUMPUR: A viral video showing a pushy guest grabbing singer-actress Bella Astillah at her wedding reception in Muar, Johor, on Sunday has sparked widespread anger online.
The incident happened while Bella, 32 – whose real name is Dayang Nabellah Awang Astillah – and her husband, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, 33, were greeting guests who had come to celebrate their big day.
In the clip, a woman suddenly grabs the back of Bella's neck and pulls her in for an unexpected kiss on the cheek.
Social media users quickly expressed their frustration, calling the woman's actions deeply rude and unsafe for the petite star.
"I don't think this kind of behavior should ever be normalised. Even if you intend to kiss someone on the cheek, you must understand boundaries and respect their personal space. You can't just pull someone's neck like that," one netizen commented.
Another wrote: "It's not funny at all. Learn some basic etiquette when attending someone's event, especially when you're enjoying a free meal."
Concerned fans have also urged the couple to step up security at their next wedding reception in Sabah to avoid another incident.
"Bella should definitely have bodyguards around her. Guests shouldn't be allowed to crowd her like that. That woman showed a total lack of manners, especially considering how small Bella is," noted one user.
Another added: "I hope Bella's safety is given top priority at the Sabah event. Anyone calling that woman's actions 'cute' is mistaken—it was completely tactless. People should respect the host's event. To those attending the next leg in Sabah, please mind your manners."
Bella and Syed Saddiq tied the knot in a private ceremony on Oct 10, before holding a grand reception at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 18.
Bella was previously married to Singaporean singer-actor Aliff Aziz, and the pair have two children together: Mohamed Ayden Adrean, 9, and Ara Adreanna, 6.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd