Photo: Gifford/FilmMagic
When news and video first surfaced of actor Joaquin Phoenix’s attempts to conquer hip-hop, we said, “If this is all a joke, this is maybe the best joke ever perpetrated by an actor.” Then after video of Phoenix’s club debut hit the Internet, including footage of a drunken Joaquin falling from the stage, we wrote “We’re assuming that this has to be a big joke.” Turns out we might be right. A source close to Phoenix told Entertainment Weekly that Joaquin admitted, “It’s a put-on. I’m going to pretend to have a meltdown and change careers, and Casey is going to film it.”
Of course, news that it’s all a hoax might be a desperate public relations attempt to make it seem like Phoenix is not bat-shit crazy or completely drugged-out of his mind, so the mystery deepens. But we still think it’s a hoax. “It’s an art project for him,” added the 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.”
Phoenix’s path to rap stardom is being filmed by actor and brother-in-law Casey Affleck, who is directing a documentary on Phoenix’s plunge into hip-hop. Affleck’s involvement, to us at least, was kind of a clue that this whole thing might be a Borat, as we don’t think a person would just sit back and film while their bro-in-law and good friend spiraled down into an abyss of drugs and poorly executed rhymes. More likely, Phoenix is immersing himself into a role of his own creation, playing a guy who used to be an actor but now is pretending to be a rapper despite looking like L.A. Woman-era Jim Morrison. Plus, it’s funny. Really, the only true victim if this whole thing is a hoax is Diddy, as the Bad Boy CEO was reportedly supposed to produce Phoenix’s album — unless he too is in on the joke.
UPDATE: Phoenix’s rep Susan Patricola e-mailed MTV with the following statement: “The transition from one career to another is never seamless. It should come as no surprise to anyone that Joaquin came from a musical family, in addition to winning a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Johnny Cash. He intends on exploring his musical interests despite speculative, negative or positive reactions.” Whether or not this is true or the rep is just trying to bluff everyone after the joke was let out of the bag, we’ll find out when this so-called “art project” ends.
Related Stories:
• Joaquin Phoenix’s Next Big Role: Rapper Co-Signed By Diddy?
• Joaquin Phoenix Makes Official Rap Debut in Vegas, Falls Off Stage
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