If you happen to ever thought to your self, Terrence Howard, who was dropped at life a few of Black movie and tv’s most dynamic and complicated characters, could be nice as, say, Smokey Robinson, Billy Dee Williams’ son, or Marvin Gaye in a movie, you’re not alone. Nonetheless, there’s a purpose neither of these items might ever occur.
Throughout a current and wide-ranging, prolonged sit-down on Invoice Maher’s “Membership Random” podcast, the 56-year-old actor mentioned many matters, together with his profession, being canceled, the legacy of the present “Empire,” and why he handed on the starring function in a Marvin Gaye biopic.
The “Empire” alum stated considered one of his greatest regrets in his profession was really passing on taking part in Smokey Robinson as a result of he was already in talks to do a biopic about Gaye with director Lee Daniels. The “Hustle & Move” star stated telling Robinson broke the music legend’s coronary heart, however he wished to remain “trustworthy” to Daniels. The subject arose when Maher recalled a time he and Billy Dee Williams mentioned the potential of Howard taking part in his son in a movie.
Howard stated he particularly regrets the choice as a result of the supposed Gaye movie has but to be realized. When requested what occurred with that undertaking, Howard stated a part of the explanation behind it not being made with him stemmed from Gaye’s rumored homosexuality.
“I’ll let you already know what occurred with that. I used to be over at Quincy Jones’ home … I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m listening to rumors that Marvin was homosexual,’” Howard stated. “And I’m like, ‘Was he homosexual?’ And Quincy is like, ‘Sure.’” Gaye, who was married to 2 girls throughout his lifetime, was not brazenly queer.
The actor didn’t specify precisely when these conversations occurred—Jones, the long-lasting music producer and composer died in November 2024 at 91—and it’s not instantly clear if this undertaking continues to be within the works. In 2021, although, it was introduced that Warner Bros. acquired a biopic about Gaye, with Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine, and Andrew Lazar as producers and Allen Hughes within the director’s seat.
Whereas talking to Maher, Howard stated the filmmakers would have wished to discover the rumors about Gaye’s sexuality, however he couldn’t kiss one other man.
“I might reduce my lips off,” Howard stated. “If I kissed a person, I might reduce my lips off.”
The actor stated, finally, it’s as a result of he wouldn’t have the ability to “pretend it” whereas appearing.
“I can’t play that character 100%. I can’t give up myself to a spot that I don’t perceive,” he defined.
Maher, who understood however stated he wouldn’t reduce his personal lips off if he needed to, additionally stated he understood homosexuality and reminded Howard that it seems in nature as properly.
The feedback have since led to a swift backlash on-line, with many calling out the actor for being problematic.
“Maturing is realizing Terr[e]nce Howard taking part in Lucious Lyon on Empire wasn’t even an act,” a person on X posted, referencing Howard’s notorious and notoriously homophobic character because the star of “Empire.”
“Terr[e]nce Howard saying ‘I can’t pretend it’… is sort of false to me as a result of he’s an actor. Appearing is pretend,” one other X person wrote.
Over on Threads, a person made a easy request of the actor: “Terr[e]nce Howard, PLS STOP TALKING.”
The actor, who has skilled previous allegations of home violence by two former wives, is not any stranger to controversy.
The feedback arrive weeks after he entered the discourse across the upcoming Diddy trial by claiming the disgraced rap mogul as soon as made undesirable sexual advances in direction of him. Throughout an look on a distinct podcast, Howard stated the alleged incident occurred underneath the guise of Diddy searching for appearing classes. As soon as it turned clear Diddy had different intentions, Howard reduce off all communication.
“Whenever you method an actual man about his masculinity, you’re going to get an actual response again,” he stated. “I’ve misplaced companies as a result of I don’t bend over in that approach. I don’t compromise…I don’t play homosexual roles, don’t kiss a person. I don’t do this s–t as a result of the person card means every thing.”
