‘This is about human decency’: Heartbreak high star’s outrage after Harry Styles concert

Aussie actress Chloe Hayden has lashed out at staff working at a Melbourne stadium for Harry Styles’ concert after a nightmare experience.

A Netflix star has lashed out at staff at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium after a nightmare experience during a Harry Styles concert on Friday night.

Heartbreak High actress Chloe Hayden, who is on the autism spectrum and ADHD, claims she was refused entry into Marvel Stadium’s sensory room while attending Harry Styles’ first Melbourne stint of his Love On Tour concert.

A sensory room is a purpose-built space that provides multi-sensory resources to help relax those who experience sensory overload due to overstimulation and noise.

People with conditions like autism, ADHD and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) usually experience atypical sensory processing and may find a sensory room to be a soothing environment.

Chloe Hayden says she was denied access to a sensory room at the venue. Picture: Instagram/@chloeshayden

But, the disability advocate who lit up the screen as autistic character Quinni in the hit Netflix show, claims she was denied access to the stadium’s facility over the weekend because she wasn’t “autistic enough”.

“Hey @marvelstadiumau reminder that you cannot preach inclusivity and then not let me into the sensory room because you took one look at me and decided I don’t look autistic enough to access it lmao,” she tweeted.

Hayden’s comments come despite Marvel Stadium stating on its website its “vision of creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all of its fans has reached new heights” due to the development of “Melbourne’s first” stadium sensory room created by medical professionals.

Marvel’s staff are said to have undergone “Sensory Inclusive Training 101” with the stadium now officially an accredited Sensory venue.

In addition to the room, sensory bags containing noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, visual cue cards and weighted lap pads are also available to guests who require the resources.

However, the actress said diagnostic papers were “demanded” to access the facilities and later took aim at the stadium’s handling of people with disabilities after “over 50” her followers came forward stating they too allegedly experienced similar “ableism”.

“Demanding diagnostic papers to access sensory rooms and sensory packs … refusing to accommodate wheelchair access and laughing at autistic people who are in meltdown is complete and utter b******t,” Hayden said.

“This is about human decency.”

In another tweet, Hayden crunched the numbers stating Marvel Stadium’s sensory room capacity of 12 people is minuscule compared to the 53,359 people that can fill the venue.

“16.5 per cent of the population have sensory processing challenges. That is 8,804 people (at least) who may need access to sensory spaces (within the stadium),” she said.

“This is not inclusion. This is using disabled issues to tick a box.”

Marvel Stadium's sensory room. Picture: Marvel Stadium

Hayden will be meeting with Marvel Stadium today, after taking to Instagram to say she will do “everything in (her) power” to improve inclusion across the venue.

“In venues that preach inclusion … that giddily placed ‘Be like Harry, Treat People With Kindness’ across their billboards … how g*****n disappointing that the same venue has proven that flying its woke flag and ticking the disability box is where its values begin and end,” she said.

“I promise you I am doing everything in my power to fight this.”

A spokesperson for Marvel Stadium told news.com.au the venue was “extremely disappointed” to hear about Hayden’s and other guests’ experiences.

“We are extremely disappointed to hear of the experience some patrons had at Marvel Stadium over the weekend when they were unable to access our sensory room which was at capacity on both nights,” the spokesperson said.

“After conversations this morning with patrons affected, Marvel Stadium has told patrons that to cope with increased demand a new extra sensory room will be included in the Marvel Stadium redevelopment when it is completed this year.

“Marvel Stadium was the first stadium in Melbourne to open a sensory room and takes great pride in welcoming everyone to the venue for events, with our sensory room being a safe and welcoming space for the many people who have used it since it was first introduced in 2019 including the many people that accessed it over the weekend during both concerts.

“While we sometimes experience capacity issues at major events, we still aim to provide a positive and caring experience for all patrons needing to find a quiet place and we sincerely apologise to patrons for the hurt and inconvenience that was caused over the weekend.”

Guests requiring access to the stadium’s sensory room can find it on level three, aisle 31.

Meanwhile sensory bags are available for hire and are available at the Customer Service desk located internally at Gate 4, level one aisle 43 or at the sensory room.

More information is available on Marvel Stadium’s website.

Originally published as ‘This is about human decency’: Heartbreak high star’s outrage after Harry Styles concert