Russell Crowe has defended himself after issuing a stern warning to fans seeking his autograph outside a Paris hotel.
The “Gladiator” star responded to TMZ’s video of the incident on X Tuesday, calling it “clickbait.”
Mr Crowe, 62, claimed: “Everyone signed autographs and took selfies, the passage to the hotel was kept free for guests, and I got to the airport on time.”
“One man, no security. Responded,” Crowe added. “What’s the problem?”
In the video, Crowe warned the autograph hunters that if even one person behaved like “dk,” he would abandon the impromptu handshake.
“Are you listening?” Qrow asked. “Stay there and don’t lunge at me. I’ll come to you. Give everyone space.”
As the Oscar winner was signing memorabilia in the audience, one fan asked Crowe if he could also write the name of the “Gladiator” character Maximus.
“No,” Crow answered bluntly, then began greeting other fans.
TMZ tweeted the video and wrote, “If you need a reminder that fans don’t always come first, look to Russell Crowe. Because he never did that outside of a hotel in Paris.”
Crowe previously said in a 2024 GQ interview that he regrets his bad actions.
“I’m in awe these days of people who say, ‘I have no regrets,'” he said at the time. “I have a lot of regrets. Angry words, overreactions, missed opportunities for friendships, things like that.”
He called his regret a “medal of honor” and said he learned to change his behavior when he was in the wrong.
“You have the ability to self-reflect and say, ‘Hey, you did something terrible the other day. Try your best not to do it again,'” Crowe said.
Crowe traveled to Paris with his girlfriend Brittney Theriot, 42, to attend the opening day of the French Open Tennis Championships on Sunday.
The “Robin Hood” actor wore a navy suit, gray waistcoat, and light blue tie and shades, while Theriot accessorized with a black blazer, white shirt, and minimal jewelry, including a chunky watch.
It is noteworthy that Crowe tried to catch a tennis ball during the match between Alexander Zverev and Benjamin Bonzi.
He grabbed the ball and stood up, shouting, “Isn’t it funny?” in a scene reminiscent of the famous scene from Gladiator.
