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Gabourey Sidibe Details Unsettling Experience From 'Coven' Set — Melanin News | Melanin
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Gabourey Sidibe Details Unsettling Experience From 'Coven' SetCelebrity

Gabourey Sidibe Details Unsettling Experience From 'Coven' Set

2w ago

Sometimes, the roles we play on screen can leave more than just an impression; they can leave a lingering presence. For Gabourey Sidibe, her work on *American Horror Story: Coven* over a decade ago reportedly brought an unwelcome guest home from the set. The Oscar-nominated actress has recently opened up about a series of deeply unsettling experiences that began during production in New Orleans and continued to affect her long after the cameras stopped rolling.

The incidents unfolded during the 2013 filming of *American Horror Story: Coven*, a season famously set in New Orleans, a city steeped in supernatural lore and known for its haunted locations, including the historic Lalaurie Mansion which served as a filming site. Sidibe, known for her powerful portrayal of Queenie, a witch character, found herself reciting Latin lines for a spell in an episode titled "Go to Hell." She described Latin as a language that carries an unusual weight, noting, "Sometimes, when they come around and give us Latin spells to do, Latin is a dead language for a reason. It can be a little spooky; it's alive. And when you wake it up, it can rattle you a little bit."

Image related to Gabourey Sidibe Details Unsettling Experience From 'Coven' Set
Related image from the original report Source

During the scene, Sidibe reported a tangible shift in energy. The table she was working near began to shake noticeably, stopping and then starting again. When crew members jokingly suggested the presence of "Papa Legba," the Gatekeeper of the Spirit World in the *AHS* universe and a figure in Haitian Vodou, Sidibe reportedly pushed back, stating, "Shut up you guys, words have power!" The physical manifestations continued, with the actress recalling a sensation near her face, as if "something was reprimanding her for speaking words she had been warned to be careful about."

In a particularly chilling moment captured during a close-up shot, Sidibe felt what seemed to be a finger on her lip, which then reportedly caused her lips to swell to "five times bigger." A voice, she recounted, then stated directly to her, "I told you to watch your mouth."

According to Sidibe, these unsettling events were not confined to the set itself. She experienced what she believed to be a persistent and unwelcome presence that attempted to follow her off production and into her personal life. An older interview that recently resurfaced detailed Sidibe hearing "scratching, like something was trying to get in our trailer" during the production. She reportedly yelled at her makeup artist at the time to "Pray right now!" until the noises eventually subsided.

American Horror Story: Coven
American Horror Story: Coven Source

Born in Brooklyn on May 6, 1983, and raised in Harlem, Sidibe's career has been marked by authenticity and a willingness to speak her mind, from her breakout role in 2009's *Precious* to her critically acclaimed work on *The Big C* and *Empire*. Her mother, Alice Tan Ridley, is an accomplished R&B and gospel singer, and her father, Ibnou Sidibe, worked as a cab driver from Senegal. Faced with these inexplicable occurrences, Sidibe leaned into her Catholic faith.

She employed spiritual practices, utilizing sea salt and invoking the protection of Saint Michael the Archangel, a revered figure in Catholic tradition known for combating evil and warding off dark forces. Sidibe explained her reasoning, stating, "If you're Catholic or you know Catholic angel lore, Saint Michael steps on the devil and keeps him from coming up. So he keeps evil away." This practice reportedly brought her enough peace of mind that she carried a prayer card dedicated to Saint Michael with her daily for approximately five years after filming wrapped. She also issued a direct warning to audiences regarding the use of such incantations, cautioning, "Do not do this at home you guys." Beyond the paranormal, Sidibe also reflected on other unusual occurrences during her *Coven* tenure, including a notable Halloween night in New Orleans where she and co-star Sarah Paulson nearly got into a bar fight after a stranger threw glitter on them, a testament to the city's often unpredictable energy.

Sidibe’s candid account has resonated widely, particularly given her reputation for honesty and her willingness to discuss such experiences without sensationalism. Public reaction has been significant, with many viewers taking to social media to share their own unsettling experiences related to watching *American Horror Story: Coven*. Some online commentators reported feeling something disquieting simply from viewing the show at home, while others admitted to muting their televisions whenever spell sequences began.

One viewer on TikTok reportedly commented, "I watch it at work, Cause no spirits are lingering in my apartment." Another user expressed similar sentiments, saying, "I always hit the mute button when they start with their spells," while a third noted, "I always felt weird when I watched Coven; it has some bad energy." These reactions highlight a broader concern among some audiences about the potential risks of incorporating actual occult language into scripted television, not just for the cast but also for viewers.

Her recent public comments about this decade-old ordeal were made at the New York City premiere of *American Horror Story: 13* on September 23, 2026, where she is set to reprise her original role as Queenie. Her return to the *American Horror Story* universe, specifically to a season that continues the *Coven* storyline, adds a poignant layer to her past experiences. To prepare for her reprisal, she reportedly rewatched both *Coven* and *Apocalypse*, another season featuring her character.

The *American Horror Story* series itself is widely recognized for its thematic focus on paranormal activity, spirit encounters, and unexplained phenomena, which provides a unique context for Sidibe's claims. The show often blurs the lines between fiction and folklore, drawing on real-world spiritual traditions and haunted locations. This artistic choice, while compelling, appears to have had real-world implications for those involved. Sidibe recently posted on social media, seeking advice from fans on how to "sage myself when I'm done filming AHS so that nothing follows me from set," indicating an ongoing consideration for spiritual protection related to her work on the series.

Gabourey Sidibe's story serves as a stark reminder that for some, the boundary between the roles they play and the reality they inhabit can become unsettlingly thin. Her experience on *American Horror Story: Coven* stands as a testament to the power of belief and the enduring mystery of the unseen, leaving fans and fellow actors alike to ponder the true cost of bringing the supernatural to life on screen. As she continues her journey within the *AHS* universe, the question of spiritual protection remains a very real and personal consideration.