Two people close to Joaquin Phoenix tell EW that the actor’s recent attempt to reinvent himself as a rapper is not what it appears to be.
Ever since the actor announced he was ditching his career in movies to try to make it as a rap artist, speculation has flown wildly about what, exactly, the two-time Oscar nominee might be thinking. Following his widely panned three-song debut as a rapper at a Las Vegas nightclub on Jan. 16 — a shambling performance that concluded with the actor falling off the stage — two competing theories emerged: Either Phoenix is perpetrating an elaborate Andy Kaufman-style hoax (with an assist from his friend and brother-in-law Casey Affleck, who’s ostensibly shooting a documentary about his career transition), or he’s truly lost his marbles. The truth, it seems, is closer
to the former. “He
said, ‘It’s a put-on. I’m going to pretend to have a meltdown and
change careers, and Casey is going to film it,’” says one source who recently worked with Phoenix.
Though Phoenix’s interest in music is sincere (he earned Oscar and Grammy nominations for his turn as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line and has directed several music videos), with this supposed career reboot he is evidently trying to both lampoon pompous actors and punk the media that covers them. Whatever his motivation or ultimate endgame, don’t expect him to break character anytime soon. “It’s an art project for him,” says a source. “He’s going full out. He probably has told his reps that he’s quit acting. Joaquin is very smart. This is very conscious. He has a huge degree of control.”
UPDATE: Phoenix’s publicist responds
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I called this last week! He knows exactly what he’s doing, making fun of people pretending to be famous rappers is hilarious.
This is flippin great. Brilliant.
Of course it’s a hoax. Just check out the beard — what rapper sports that look? Great impression of Val Kilmer doing Jim Morrison tho. Did anyone actually fall for it?
Does anyone really care what he’s doing? Seriously – Hollywood might as well be the moon. Get a job and take on real responsibilities…Hollywood’s heyday is OVER you morons.
I find it a bit ironic for somebody commenting on a EW.com story (especially this one) to write “Does anyone really care what he’s doing? Seriously – Hollywood might as well be the moon.”
Kinda funny. D’you like the picture?
Let’s do him the favor of ignoring him. This whole “I hate being famous” crap is old, he’ll come running right back to Hollywood as soon as everyone stops paying attention. If he was truly tired of it all, then he would take his money and go do something else. In the meantime, he should get over himself.
@dma please google the rapper rick ross.
I can guarantee, he’s making a movie, a la A MIGHTY WIND, an improvised RAP ARTIST MOVIE… yeah, i’m game, can’t see how it turns out.
Sorry Joaquin, but this just makes you MORE boring than the people you are making fun of. Why waste our time? Go plant trees or build homes for the homeless you wanker.
I see the novelty thing is to do “wanna-be rapper” movie. Or the industry “builds” a so-called rapper in the name of entertainment. I don’t see the amusement. We speak about our lives and the things that affect it. It’s not ALL fun and games. Hollywood needs to be careful when it comes to Hip-Hop.
Most Actors would love to reach his level of success and for him to sound like he’s tired of it, doesn’t make sense. I think he’s gotten spoiled as an actor and he’s looking for different attention. If he’s tired of the limelight then why doesn’t he ge a job or career like the rest of us.
I too am filming a short about a man who watches the forthcoming mockumentary, claims to like it, but is fronting to impress his former girlfriend a self-professed Joaquin Phoenix worshipper.
It just makes him look foolish, this isn’t art…it’s so pretentious. And he looks terrible.
What a weirdo. He doesnt have anything better to do than a dumb elaborate hoax??
GEt a life.
Oh it’s a hoax they say (as the publicist scrambles behind the scenes to come up with another excuse). I’m sure that falling off the stage was rigged as well. Very clever!
Joaquin is a freakin’ GENIUS! It’s about time a hollywood star grew some kahuna’s and took a risk! To those of you who think Joaquin is stupid, i’m doing your mom as I type…STUPID!
Uh, huh… Then I guess I’m working on an Andy Kaufmanesk piece about a working mom, her kids and husband, hiding out in the ‘burbs, precariously holding onto their chaotic existence. And I have the videos to prove it, too. (Some of which were also shot by my brother-in-law, who is not Casey Affleck.)
Yeah, but nobody cares about that.
Mikey M said “What a weirdo”
All of the biggest geniuses through time were considered to be pretty weird/eccentric. I guess that makes you an insignificunt dummy then, right?
Yeah, that one was pretty obvious once Casey Affleck’s name popped up as his “documentarian”. At least there’s a lot of people really hoping it’s a hoax. We’re still not over River.
Looks like he’s going to bust out some Kenny Loggins or something? His look is different from Rick Ross, Rick Ross has a “clean” look with his beard, not like he went out camping in the wilderness for 6 months? Anyway, whatever he’s doing, I don’t give a shi-…gotta work and pay billz…
he’s making fun of actors that want to escape the boring limelight and “reinvent” themselves, duh
OK, what a loser. He WAS a very credible actor and my guess is he “quit” acting because he wasn’t getting offered the roles…I refer you to that POS thing he was in with Robert Duvall and Wahlberg ‘We Own the Night.’ One of the most pathetic things ever made. So he ‘quit’ acting. Right. So NOW he’s making stuff up so he can stay “relevant.” Just go away.
I love the comments by people who don’t get it, or are taking things way too seriously! This “documentary” is going to be great!
ALL press is GOOD press. Brilliant actor. Brilliant man.
Yea right, this press reeks of bullshit by a publicist. This guy is not brilliant, he is wasting his time and yours.
Its his life, let him do what he wants. What business is it to any of you peons. The dude’s got millions, you don’t. So kiss it.
He has just lost a HUGE amount of credibility. From the beginning I thought this was either a huge joke, or he was going through a bad breakup. Spoiled celebrities tend to do this when they can’t deal with something. Art project? Gimme a break. Buddy, I’d hang onto those pals who are “covering” for you and enabling you!
He has just lost a HUGE amount of credibility. From the beginning I thought this was either a huge joke, or he was going through a bad breakup. Spoiled celebrities tend to do this when they can’t deal with something. Art project? Gimme a break. Buddy, I’d hang onto those pals who are “covering” for you and enabling you!
Damn. I have nothing but respect for this guy. If it is a hoax, more power to him. The media deserves to be fooled, and the business needs a good slap. It may hurt his career down the road, but I think it far more likely that this will elevate both Phoenix and Affleck to a new echelon of accomplishment and respect in the business. Congrats to all involved.