So we all know that Terrence Howard is known for his acting prowess, right? But did you hear about the shocking reason why he turned down the role of Marvin Gaye in a biopic?
Terrence spilled the beans in a recent appearance on Bill Maher‘s “Club Random” podcast where he revealed that he turned down the role because he felt like faking it and kissing a man.
The actor explained that turning down the role of Robinson was his biggest regret. Howard claims to have only turned down the opportunity to play Robinson because he was already in early talks with Lee Daniels to portray Marvin Gaye in another biopic.
Maher, 69, jumped in to express that Howard made the right choice, claiming that Gaye’s life story is “much more interesting.” He added, “You would’ve been perfect as Marvin Gaye, and that is a story that needs to be told.”
However, Howard didn’t actually play either of the acclaimed musicians, largely because he chose to step back from playing Gaye upon discovering Daniels’ plan to explore questions around the late singer’s sexuality. “I was over at Quincy Jones’ house and I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay’ and I’m like, ‘Was he gay?,'” Howard recalled. “And Quincy’s like, ‘Yes.'”
“They would’ve wanted to do that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that,” he said of portraying Gaye’s life as an allegedly gay man.
“You mean you couldn’t kiss a guy on screen in a movie?” Maher asked, to which Howard replied, “No. Because I don’t fake it.”
“I couldn’t kiss a man either,” Maher agreed.
Howard took it further, adding, “That would f— me. I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off.”
The actor went on to claim that “It does not make me homophobic to not want to kiss a man.”
“I can’t play that character 100 percent,” Howard said. “I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand.”
So, there you have it – the scoop on why Terrence Howard turned down the Marvin Gaye biopic. Guess we’ll just have to wait for some responses from Gaye’s people as to whether Terrence is telling the truth or lying for clouts.
Flip to the next page to watch Terrence Howard spill the tea…
