Mother and her Down’s Syndrome youngster have been booted out of Pink live performance

A single mother has told how she and her seven-year-old son who has Down’s Syndrome were escorted from a Pink concert ‘like criminals’ because he wouldn’t sit in his seat.

Vanessa Vasey, 48, paid £630 for tickets to take Jesse to see his idol at her P!NK Summer Carnival Tour 2024 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, on Saturday. 

But Jesse’s disabilities and sensory disorders meant he refused to sit on his seat, so Vanessa, Jesse and their friend Kirsty stood near to the seating area while the child danced to the support act. 

They were then approached by about six security guards who told them to take their seats, the mother said. When Vanessa explained the situation, she was given an ultimatum to sit down or leave.

Vanessa claimed four more staff members arrived and escorted them from the premises, just as the Grammy award-winning singer, 44, came onto the stage.

The mother-of-four, from Belton, Great Yarmouth, said: ‘Jesse and I love Pink – I’d booked the tickets in November and made sure I paid £630 for hospitality tickets as that gave us lounge access and I knew Jesse wouldn’t be able to sit for that long as he has Down’s Syndrome and other developmental, sensory and neurodivergent needs.

‘We couldn’t wait as it was going to be such a special moment for us to experience together. On the day, I didn’t take his disability buggy as the ticket said there was no storage. 

‘But when it came to sitting in our seats, Jesse didn’t want to. And in the lounge area, the blinds had been pulled down. So we stood up by our seats and Jesse was dancing.

‘We weren’t causing any problems – Jesse is 3ft tall and was entertaining everyone. Then six security guards showed up telling us we had to move. 

‘When I explained about Jesse’s disabilities, they said there was nothing they could do – we either had to sit in the seats or leave.’ 

The mother added: ‘It was absolutely horrific. I argued our case and the only thing they offered us was to sit in the soundproof sensory room where Jesse wouldn’t have heard any of the act and instead, would watch it on a screen, take our seats, or leave.

‘I got quite cross with them and was furious we were missing Pink. Jesse was upset. We were intimidated and by the time we decided to go, there were 10 of them around us – including security guards, people in suits, other employees and they literally escorted us out of the building like criminals.

‘All Jesse has now is memories of me crying, being upset and angry and the whole intimidation and people being unkind to us. I think Pink would be disgusted if she found out.’

Vanessa booked the £630 tickets as a special gift for Jesse in November 2023. Her son is a ‘massive’ fan of Pink, his favourite songs being Trustful and Try. He absolutely adores music, singing and performances, according to his mother.

The hospitality tickets that Vanessa purchased allowed them to have access to the bar and restaurant areas throughout the evening. That way she knew her son would not need to be stuck in his seat.

But while they were sitting in the lounge, as the first support act went on stage, the blinds were closed – and despite Vanessa explaining she had booked the tickets due to them having lounge access, she was told they would need to leave.

Vanessa said: ‘About 45 minutes before Pink came on, suddenly all the blinds came down and we had no view of anything. 

‘I immediately asked why and was told it was part of their deal with the promoters that they have to shut the blinds before the main artist comes out, in order to encourage people into their seats.’

Vanessa waited as long as she could before moving into a zone close to their seats as she knew Jesse wouldn’t be able to sit still for three hours, so they stood by the railings. Jesse was having the best time and getting excited.

Vanessa said: ‘We weren’t in our seats, but our seats were in the middle of a row, and I just thought Jesse’s going to be so disruptive. So we remained where we were and it wasn’t until Pink dropped from the sky that we turned round and there’s about six security guards in high-visibility jackets ready to escort us out.

‘We weren’t obstructing anyone’s view and as soon as Pink came out, everyone was up dancing. There’s no way a three foot little boy with Down’s Syndrome was even beyond the bum cheeks of the person in front of him!’

Vanessa and Kirsty were told people had complained and so they were given the ultimatum of access to the sensory room, which had a screen, to sit in their seats or leave. 

Feeling like they had no choice, they left at 8.45pm, missing the entire concert.

The mother posted about the ordeal on Facebook where her post has had more than 1,400 shares.

Vanessa added: ‘I’m speaking out and sharing what happened to Jesse as venues should be catering for additional needs. It should be an area where special needs don’t have the expectation and restriction of being in their seats and behave a certain way where they can be safe and be themselves and enjoy the concert at the same time.

‘And I’d like venue staff to have greater knowledge and understanding to support everyone equally in a manner in which they’re able to be comfortable and supportive regardless of their needs.’

The mother wrote on Facebook: ‘Yesterday my little Jesse was robbed of his chance to see his idol P!nk at Tottenham Hotspur stadium simply because he has special needs and didn’t fit into the requirements for his seating.

‘Jesse is just seven-years-old, has Down syndrome, and other developmental, sensory and neurodivergent needs. Music is his life and P!nk is one of his absolute favourites.’ 

She added: ‘The whole trip took a great deal of planning and cost close to £1000, all to walk away with a brokenhearted little boy. Shame on you Tottenham stadium. Please share this far and wide. My poor boy deserved so much better than this!!!’ 

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Pink representatives have been contacted for comment.