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Beyonce Ambushed by PETA

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, has been upset with Beyonce Knowles for some time, spending money to run advertisements about her red carpet appearances in real fur, and mobilizing supporters to protest outside her concerts. But despite their best efforts, Beyonce didn't seem to pay them any mind. So when eBay had an auction for a lucky fan to dine with the singer and a few family members, the animal rights activists didn't hesitate to reach for the checkbook.

The result was partially captured on TMZ.com, and, needless to say, it didn't go too well. Beyonce arrived at the trendy NYC restaurant Nobu 57 thinking that she would be meeting some fawning fan. Instead, she was greeted by activists ready with prepared statements about minks, foxes and chinchillas being gassed and electrocuted in order for their pelts to be harvested. The conversation was one-sided, as Beyonce just mutely sat in place, visibly perplexed, until her dinner saboteurs were escorted out. "Beyonce Gets Served on Fur," a headline from PETA proudly reported.

Beyonce's individual fashion choices have long ruffled the feathers of PETA, but the group seems especially concerned now that the singer is also leading her own clothing line. On the video, a member of Beyonce's entourage assures the activists that every effort is made to ensure that Beyonce's line, House of Dereon, is not complicit in any sort of animal abuse. The PETA people responded by trying to play a DVD featuring a Pamela Anderson-narrated expose of the dark side of the fur industry. A second date seems unlikely.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
06.19.06