Anthony Mackie Addresses Criticism for Declining Fan Photos: ‘Respect My Boundaries’
3 min read
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Anthony Mackie is addressing fans who have accused him of not taking selfies with them when he’s spotted out in public. During a recent ‘Full Comedy Actor Roundtable’ discussion released by The Hollywood Reporter on YouTube, Mackie opened up about his experiences with fans and why he sometimes refuses to take photos.
Mackie explained that his decision stems from past experiences where people have misused photos taken with him. “There’s been several experiences where people have taken pictures with me and used them for ways that I don’t deem the right way. So because of that, I just choose not to be a part of your social reality,” he said.
"If I tell you no, respect it" – Anthony Mackie and Theo James discuss fans assuming actors owe them selfies during the Comedy Actor #THRRoundtable pic.twitter.com/TrS1YBxiiX
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 18, 2024
He emphasized the importance of respecting personal boundaries, a principle that applies to everyone, regardless of their celebrity status. “I have people tell me all the time, ‘Well, this is what you signed up for,’ and I’m like, that’s crazy. That’s like telling a girl just because she put on a cute dress and went to a bar she signed up for me to harass her all night. No, in this day and age we’ve literally learned that we have to respect everyone’s no. So if I tell you no, respect it.”
One incident that gained significant attention involved a woman on TikTok who claimed she met Mackie at a gas station and labeled him the “rudest human being alive.” The fan recounted her experience in a viral video, explaining that when she approached Mackie, he firmly set boundaries. He calmly held up his hand and said “no,” indicating he wasn’t interested in engaging with her. The fan felt upset and took offense to his direct response, perceiving it as an insult.
One thing y'all gotta learn about Anthony Mackie; leave that man alone 😭😭😭 it's public knowledge he does NAWT like to be bothered in public & you crying cause he said no lmao pic.twitter.com/oCpVV6iu4R
— Ichigo Niggasake (@SomaKazima) March 26, 2024
The fan described the encounter, saying, “So I just met Anthony Mackie. And let me just say, rudest human being alive.” She continued, “So I live in New Orleans. I’m here for Spring Break. Apparently, Anthony Mackie lives here, too. I pulled up to a gas station. Here, Anthony Mackie comes in his huge f’n truck, all blacked out, all f’n sleek, windows down,” she says. “So it’s like, ‘If you don’t want people to come up to you and f’n say how much they appreciate your work, why the f’k are all your windows down and you’re blasting music, smoking a f’n cigar?’”
She further explained that she approached him gently, saying, “Oh, my god, I’m so sorry to bother.” According to her, Mackie simply raised his hand and said “No,” leaving her standing there, unsure of what to do next. “Tell me why Anthony Mackie did this [motions one hand out and says] ‘No,’” she explained. “To my face!” She continued, “And then just went back to what he was doing having me standing there. I was standing there in front of Anthony Mackie being like, ‘Oh. Should I go?’”
Mackie’s stance highlights the need for respecting personal boundaries, even for public figures. His message is clear: everyone, celebrity or not, deserves the right to say no without facing backlash or disrespect.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
