Maggie Gyllenhaal Learns a Lesson
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy
Maggie Gyllenhaal says she was "surprised" by the overwhelmingly negative reaction to statements she made in April about the role American policy may have played in the September 11 attacks. Not only that, but she's now basically on her hands and knees, begging for forgiveness. At the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Danny Leiner's 9/11-aftermath pic, The Great New Wonderful, Gyllenhaal told NY1, "I think America has done reprehensible things and is responsible in some way and so I think the delicacy with which it's dealt [in the film] allows that to sort of creep in." After a medium-sized media uproar, she released a statement, modifing her original comments but refusing to retract them: "9/11 was a terrible tragedy and of course it goes without saying that I grieve along with every American ... [but] it was also an occasion to be brave enough to ask some serious questions about America's role in the world."
Gyllenhaal now admits that she "regrets" her inititial statement, but still insists her "intentions were good." She says she's learned from the incident that the red carpet is not the place to discuss politics: "I realize I have to be careful, because it's very easy to misunderstand a complicated thought in a complicated world." Hmmm. Complicated.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-11-2005 @ 2:58PM
Ash said...
Considering that celebrity is the closest thing to aristocracy here in America, isn't the red carpet exactly the right place to discuss politics. I mean historically those who got to walk down red carpets were the same people who affected the politics of the day. So Maggie should be able to say what she wants without having to back pedal. Even if she did play a sex junkie in a John Waters movie.
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7-11-2005 @ 3:17PM
Tyler J. Smith said...
"Should" being the key word, Ash. I have no problem with celebrities stepping into the lime light to try and show that something goes on beyond their looks - however, if they can't handle the heat (which, apparently, Maggie couldn't), they have no place in the kitchen.
I hate to bring up Tom Cruise again, but at least he sticks to what he says and never withdraws an argument just because the public opinion of him is changing. I will give him that much. Nothing more, though.
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7-11-2005 @ 6:02PM
Ash said...
Always the damn TomKat. He is a cure all panacea of conversation. I don't completely agree with what I said anyway, I just thought the red carpet bit was interesting. She is a moron, I can tell just looking at her. Unfortunately, Tom Cruise is smart, bat s**t insane, but smart.
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7-14-2005 @ 12:59AM
Blonde Genes said...
tomcruiseisnuts.com
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