Actor Terrence Howard recently discussed his refusal to portray Marvin Gaye in a potential biopic due to Gaye’s rumored homosexuality. During an appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, Howard recounted a conversation with Quincy Jones, where he asked about Gaye’s sexual orientation, and Jones confirmed the rumors. Howard had previously turned down a role as Smokey Robinson to pursue the Gaye project with director Lee Daniels.
Howard expressed discomfort with the idea of portraying a character who may be gay, stating, “If I kissed a man, I would cut my lips off,” highlighting his belief that he could not convincingly play a role he didn’t understand. Maher supported Howard’s position, asserting that not wanting to kiss a man does not equate to homophobia, comparing it to how some gay men are not attracted to women.
The remarks drew significant backlash online, with critics labeling Howard as “deeply problematic” and questioning his views on masculinity. Some users pointed out that Howard appears to seek approval from heterosexual men while harboring disdain for gay individuals. Additional concerns arose about Howard’s past, particularly allegations of domestic abuse from his two ex-wives, which led to skepticism about his views on women. Howard admitted in a 2015 interview to hitting his first wife and faced accusations from his second wife in a dropped lawsuit. Overall, Howard’s comments have reignited discussions about masculinity and the complexities of representing LGBTQ+ identities in media.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
