Russell Crowe Refused To Participate In A Q&A For “The Loudest Voice” Because He Didn’t Like How The Host Talked About Roger Ailes

The first of several projects about the late Fox News CEO and alleged sexual harassment PSA villain Roger Ailes is finally upon us. Showtime’s miniseries The Loudest Voice, aka the Russell Crowe one and not the Nicole Kidman/Charlize Theron/John Lithgow one, premiered last night. Earlier this week, Russell was scheduled to appear at a Q&A about the show in New York with the rest of his castmates. But according to Page Six, Russell had no As for those Qs, because he threw a temper tantrum over how Roger Ailes was introduced to the audience.

The panel discussion was to be a conversation about the series between moderator Ricky Camilleri and Russell, along with Naomi Watts (Gretchen Carlson), Sienna Miller (Beth Ailes), Annabelle Wallis (Laurie Luhn), and Seth McFarlane (Brian Lewis). Everyone but Russell was on stage, as he was waiting backstage for Ricky to announce him. According to a source present, Ricky began describing Roger Ailes as a “sick person” who bullied journalists and politicians. Russell apparently didn’t like how Ricky was characterizing Roger, and let everyone know how he felt in his most fluent language (expletives). Russell allegedly “stormed out” of the building. Russell should be thankful Ricky’s description of Roger didn’t also include the words “raw hamburger,” because it would have been more than just Russell storming out. Everyone’s lunch would have evacuated their stomachs.

Russell never made it to the Q&A, and it went on without him. Russell later calmed down enough to return to the building for a press interview in the basement. A source says that Ricky and a producer attempted to speak to Russell and apologize, but he was still pissed and flipped out on them. Ricky should have his own show on Discovery. Because walking into a room with a very angry Russell Crowe, armed with only an apology, has got to be one of the world’s most dangerous jobs.

However, a rep for Russell implies the whole thing is laughable:

“This is not correct. Russell did not ‘freak out,’ and there was no ‘curse-filled tirade.’ He simply made the decision not to do the interview following the host’s intro.” They claimed Crowe “graciously accepted” the apology.

A rep for the panel backed up Russell’s rep, saying that he didn’t like that the introduction might make the audience feel biased against his character. So he backed out, without any swearing and tantrum-throwing.

“[Crowe] was concerned the interview would be biased given our host saying [Ailes] was not a good guy. That’s the end of the story. Our studio is a place of respect and comfort, and everyone who comes here has a great time. It’s just not true.”

Since this is Russell Crowe, I’m inclined to believe that he freaked out and bailed, possibly taking his frustrations out on a nearby trash can. But what exactly was said that triggered him? I bet it wasn’t even about Roger Ailes. I bet Russell thought the moderator was dragging Russell himself.

“Now for the monster at the heart of this series…a loud, pompous ego maniac that you most certainly don’t want to get on the bad side of…Wait, Russell, where are you going? I was talking about Roger Ailes!”

Pic: Wenn.com