Russell Crowe defends tense exchange with autograph hunters at French Open
WATCH THE VIDEO: The Aussie icon has hit back after a video of an encounter with fans in Paris went viral.
Russell Crowe has defended his brusque exchange with fans outside a hotel after a video of the encounter went viral.
The Gladiator star, 62, was filmed interacting with autograph hunters who approached him as he exited a hotel in Paris with Crowe seen giving them a gruff warning and threatening he would be “gone” if anyone acted like a “dick”.
Crowe said: “Are you listening? Stay where you are. Don’t f***ing push in on me. I’ll come to you. Give everybody space. As soon as somebody’s a dick, I’m gone. You got me? Clear?”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The video sparked debate online about Crowe’s treatment of fans and the Oscar-winner has now weighed in on the controversy by insisting he was able to successfully set boundaries without requiring any help from security.
In a message posted on X, Crowe wrote: “Clickbait. Everybody got their autograph and selfie, the passage to the hotel was kept free for guests, and I still got to the airport on time.
“One man, no security. Handled. What’s your problem?”
Crowe was France with his girlfriend Britney Theriot and they were pictured attending the opening day of the French Open tennis championship on Sunday.
The actor recently ruled out getting married again following rumours which suggested the pair were engaged.
Crowe - who was previously married to Australian singer and actress Danielle Spencer whom he divorced in 2018 - dismissed the engagement gossip and joked he doesn’t want to ruin his “joyous and happy” life with his partner with a wedding.
During an appearance on Sunday’s 60 Minutes in the US, he said: “All these reports coming out that Britney and I are engaged and I’m going to get married again?
“No. My life is joyous and happy, why ruin that with a wedding? ... We respect each other and wake up with a smile, and we are very happy.”
Doubling down on not wanting to walk down the aisle again, he added: “I’ve been married once, and I know where that can go.
“I’m not gonna get married again. Doing it once is cool, but I don’t want to get married again.”
Crowe - who is father to Charles, 21, and Tennyson, 19, with his ex-wife - has been dating Theriot since 2020.
