I lost a bit of respect for Hugh Grant when he blatantly eye-rolled Ashley Graham after she asked him a question on the Oscars red carpet on Sunday. That fumbling, albeit sweet, British gentleman that we knew in Notting Hill — the type of man I imagined Grant to be in real life — all but vanished from my mind.
The 35-year-old model was doing a stellar job — far better than most — at interviewing the stars on the champagne-colored carpet of the 95th annual Academy Awards. When 62-year-old Grant showed up on our screens, however, viewers remarked it felt as though he didn’t think too much of the interviewer. Gracefully, Graham soldiered on.
The conversation went like this:
Graham: Who are you most excited to see tonight at the Oscars?
Grant: To see?
Graham: To see win.
Grant: No one in particular.
Graham: OK. And who are you wearing tonight?
Grant: Just my suit.
Graham: Well, you didn’t make it! Who made your suit?
Grant: My tailor.
It was car crash television. Painful. Awkward. As a journalist who has worked the entertainment scene for years, I can vouch for red carpet interviews as being some of the most challenging there is, and your ability to respond to the spontaneous is really tested. Sighing deeply and dismissing valid questions like, “who would you like to see win an Oscar this evening?” viewers noted the actor seemed rude to a young woman simply doing her job.
Take a look at the moment below.
Hugh Grant is the biggest D bag for this interview. Hugh, If you don't want to be there go home. Worst Oscars interviews ever. #Oscars #Oscars2023 #HughGrant pic.twitter.com/Yx7MWbav4q
— Michael L (@Luevano1) March 12, 2023
While online commentators have noted that Grant has two films coming out this year — Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves — and Graham only asked about 2022’s release Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, a film of which Grant only had a small part in — is this Grant’s free ticket to be respond in this rude manner?
They say you should never meet your heroes for fear of disappointment. While Grant wasn’t my idol, I think I’m kind of OK if I don’t meet him now. Julia Roberts though? I’ve met her and she’s a darling. You can read about how wonderful she is in person here. I’ll forever watch Notting Hill for her.
