SZA was seen sprinting off stage at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night to avoid being slapped with a $250,000 fine.
The American singer-songwriter, 34, was on the Melbourne leg of her Australian tour when she ended the show abruptly to avoid being on stage past the 11pm curfew.
In footage uploaded to TikTok by fans, the performer told the screaming crowd she loved them, but would receive a hefty fine if she stayed past the end of her set.
‘Okay, they’re gonna fine me! I love you,’ she yelled into her microphone as she started running back up her catwalk stage with the aid of her entourage.
She stopped at several points along the way to scoop up gifts fans threw onstage and picked out event-goers at random for a meet and greet backstage.
![The real reason behind American singer SZA’s sudden exit from Melbourne tour stage to avoid 0K fine is finally disclosed: ‘I must leave!’ The real reason behind American singer SZA’s sudden exit from Melbourne tour stage to avoid 0K fine is finally disclosed: ‘I must leave!’](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/03/00/84392337-13377407-SZA_34_pictured_was_seen_sprinting_off_stage_at_the_Rod_Laver_Ar-a-1_1714690890207.jpg)
SZA, 34, (pictured) was seen sprinting off stage at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night to avoid being slapped with a $250,000 fine
‘I have to go, I have to go!’ she continued to yell, telling area staff: ‘Just grab people from the side and give them free tickets for tomorrow! Love you!’
SZA finally made it off stage with only seconds to spare, as the fan filming the end of the show revealed the time was 10:59pm as the music artist started to exit.
Concert venues in Melbourne have a very strict 11pm curfew to meet the noise pollution requirements of the Environment Protection Authority Victoria.
![The real reason behind American singer SZA's sudden exit from Melbourne tour stage to avoid $250K fine is finally disclosed: 'I must leave!' 3 The American singer-songwriter was on the Melbourne leg of her Australian tour when she ended the show abruptly to avoid being on stage past the 11pm curfew](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/03/00/84393635-13377407-The_American_singer_songwriter_was_on_the_Melbourne_leg_of_her_A-a-2_1714690890209.jpg)
The American singer-songwriter was on the Melbourne leg of her Australian tour when she ended the show abruptly to avoid being on stage past the 11pm curfew
The curfew is 10pm on Sundays and public holidays when the next day is not a public holiday, with more restrictions placed on outdoor entertainment venue noise.
It comes after SZA was on the verge of leaving her Tuesday concert in Melbourne midway through the show due to ‘crazy’ behaviour from the audience.
Several attendees captured footage of fans throwing items onto the stage during her first concert at Rod Laver Arena earlier this week.
![The real reason behind American singer SZA's sudden exit from Melbourne tour stage to avoid $250K fine is finally disclosed: 'I must leave!' 5 In footage uploaded to TikTok by fans, the performer told the screaming crowd she loved them, but would receive a hefty fine if she stayed past the end of her set](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/03/00/84392341-13377407-In_footage_uploaded_to_TikTok_by_fans_the_performer_told_the_scr-a-3_1714690890237.jpg)
In footage uploaded to TikTok by fans, the performer told the screaming crowd she loved them, but would receive a hefty fine if she stayed past the end of her set
According to reports, some even threw shoes and cellphones at the singer before she addressed the situation and called out the crowd.
‘I will leave. Do not throw up any cell phones, I’m a person. That’s crazy,’ SZA said while holding an item thrown at her.
There were also other instances of bad behavior at the concert, with one disruptive fan losing their balance as they attempted a handstand and falling onto another fan.
Additional video footage shows multiple security guards attempting to control a fan who was involved in a scuffle in the general admission area.