Editor’s note: Ezra Miller uses they/them pronouns, which is reflected in this story.
A Hollywood actor who was arrested in Hilo on Monday had a restraining order filed against them Tuesday after a series of erratic incidents over the last few weeks.
Ezra Miller, who portrayed superhero The Flash in 2017’s “Justice League” and who will star in “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” next month, allegedly entered the bedroom of Hilo couple Stoyan Kojouharov and Niegel Hayles and told them, “I will bury you and your slut wife,” according to the petition for a restraining order filed by the couple.
The petition then alleges Miller stole Hayles’ passport and Kojouharov’s wallet, which contained his Social Security card, driver’s license and other personal documents, before leaving.
In the petition, Kojouharov expresses concern over his and Hayles’ safety, stating that “(Miller) is famous and wealthy; this makes access to weapons much easier; as well as sending associates to harass the petitioner.”
Kojouharov declined to comment about the incident when contacted by the Tribune-Herald, saying that representatives of Miller had reached out to settle the matter privately.
However, several incidents around the Big Island over the last few weeks are rumored to involve aggressive and erratic behavior from the actor.
Most significantly, Miller was arrested Monday after an incident the previous night at Keaukaha bar Margarita Village, where the actor, according to police, starting yelling obscenities during the bar’s karaoke night, snatched the microphone from the woman using it, and later lunged at a man playing darts.
Miller was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment and was released on a $500 bail.
Hawaii Police Assistant Chief Kenneth Quiocho told the Associated Press that Miller had been irritated by bar patrons singing the song “Shallow” — a song performed by Lady Gaga and actor Bradley Cooper in the 2018 film “A Star Is Born.”
Quiocho also said Miller had been the subject of 10 minor incidents reported to police since March 7.
One incident took place March 18 at the Hilo Town Tavern, where the actor allegedly became confrontational.
“(Miller) was being odd but harmless at first,” said Tavern bartender Nani Schine, adding that the actor “insisted on staying after last call. … We took pictures together, we hung out, it was fine.”
However, Schine said Miller’s demeanor changed after they did an accent that she said they claimed was Scottish.
“I told them, ‘that isn’t Scottish,’ and it went downhill from there,” Schine said.
Schine said she put a hand on Miller’s arm after the actor approached her, which led Miller to protest about unwanted touching, before “popping off on Hawaiian (issues),” ranting about the island, and discussing Hawaiian issues incorrectly, insensitively and condescendingly, she explained. Miller also immediately started recording the incident on a cellphone camera, she said.
Schine said she had not seen Miller drink very much throughout the night.
A group of people with Miller, who Schine said she didn’t recognize, were apologetic for their companion’s behavior and managed to get Miller to settle down and eventually leave the bar about an hour after closing time.
Subsequently, Schine said Miller and the entourage went to Amigos Taqueria, where they reportedly were similarly erratic.
An Amigos bartender said Miller, frustrated that the ingredients for a particular drink were unavailable, demanded “do you know who I am? I’m the Flash.”
Miller has developed a reputation for aggressive behavior. In 2020, a video circulated online that appeared to depict the actor choking a woman and throwing her to the ground in a bar in Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik.
It is unclear how long Miller has been on the Big Island. Hawaii Film Commissioner Donne Dawson said she is unaware of any film productions on the island the actor could be involved in.
By a bizarre coincidence, Miller’s latest controversies line up with significant moments in their career. Miller’s latest film, the third movie in the “Fantastic Beasts” series, premiered in London on Tuesday, the same day as the restraining order was filed. And a scene of Miller’s in the 2021 director’s cut of “Justice League” was voted by online poll the the top “Oscars Cheer Moment” during the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday, the day of the Margarita Village incident.
Miller did not respond to requests for comment.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
