Terrence Howard Shocks Fans: Refused Major Role, Says He’d ‘Cut Lips Off’ Rather Than Kiss a Man

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Terrence Howard faced criticism after turning down a promising career opportunity. The role he declined was that of Motown artist Marvin Gaye… He refused the part when he learned that Gaye had been in relationships with men, which would have required him to kiss another man on-screen.

During my chat with Bill Maher on his esteemed podcast, I found myself embroiled in a controversial discussion. I confessed that I had declined the opportunity to portray Smokey Robinson, a role specifically offered to me by Robinson himself, opting instead for the part of Marvin Gaye. However, as events unfolded, I raised some queries about Gaye’s sexuality and, unfortunately, was not comfortable with the responses.

In Quincy Jones’ home, Howard inquired about Marvin Gaye’s sexuality. He asked Quincy, “I keep hearing whispers that Marvin was gay,” to which Quincy replied affirmatively. This revelation seemed shocking to Howard because he couldn’t bear the thought of pretending to be romantically involved with another man, even for acting purposes. “They would have required me to enact such a scene, and I wouldn’t have been able to do so,” he stated. “…As I don’t fake my feelings.

Maher stated, “I wouldn’t even consider it,” and this comment sparked a brief outburst from Howard, who exclaimed, “It’s unthinkable for me. I’d rather mutilate myself. If I were to kiss a man, I would maim myself.

It’s quite clear that his statement has sparked controversy in certain circles. On the podcast, Maher expressed that he’s not homophobic just because he doesn’t want to kiss a man, but Howard’s response to the idea has led many to label him as intolerant. Unfortunately, Howard’s past history of insensitive comments hasn’t done much to quell these accusations.

Howard Has Previously Been Accused of Homophobia

Lately, Howard made an appearance on The PBD Podcast and stated, in essence, “I’ve lost opportunities because I don’t conform to those practices. I don’t bend or give in. I don’t take on gay roles, I don’t share kisses with men, and I won’t do that kind of thing because my masculinity is crucial.” This comment also ignited controversy, even drawing criticism from actor Wilson Cruz.

“In social media posts, Cruz stated, ‘He spoke and behaved differently when working with me in the 90s. Praise for my work, praise for my decisions, and so on. Now, he’s performing for white audiences, doing and saying what he thinks is necessary to gain acceptance. He’s essentially bending over backwards to please them, and it seems he takes pleasure in it.’

In recent years, the “Empire” actor has found himself at the center of a debate over homophobia. He developed a unique mathematical system known as “Terryology,” but it was met with skepticism from scientists. On a more serious note, in 2015, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife, and subsequently, his second wife was granted a restraining order against him following the incident.

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2025-04-29 18:50