“I Would Cut My Lips Off”: Actor’s Homophobic Response To Why He Turned Down Gay Role In Film
Actor Terrence Howard recently gave a clear reminder that homophobia is still present in parts of Hollywood. During an appearance on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, the former Empire star said he refused to play music legend Marvin Gaye in a film. His reason was surprising.
Terrence Howard reveals he turned down the role of Marvin Gaye in biopic after learning the late singer’s sexuality from Quincy Jones:
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) April 29, 2025
“I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off.” pic.twitter.com/sP8e8cpdo8
Howard told Maher he was talking with director Lee Daniels about a possible movie about the Motown singer. This idea led Howard to ask music producer Quincy Jones (who passed away late last year) about rumours regarding Gaye’s sexuality. Howard says he asked Jones if Marvin Gaye was gay and, according to Howard, Quincy said he was.
This answer, which hasn’t been proven, seemed to be what stopped Howard. He said the filmmakers would likely want to show this side of Gaye’s life. His reaction? He flat-out refused because he might have had to kiss another man on screen. “I would cut my lips off,” Howard stated strongly. He repeated, “If I kissed a man, I would cut my lips off.” His reason was that he couldn’t “fake it” or act out something he didn’t understand.
okay Terrence Howard, thanks for letting us know about your personal boundaries https://t.co/KxRZ8M9oYt pic.twitter.com/ixSJeaYGtl
— Sassington, M.C. (@MissSassbox) April 29, 2025
Fragile Masculinity or Just Plain Homophobia?
Bill Maher, always ready to give his opinion, replied that he wouldn’t want to kiss a man either, but he added that Howard’s comment about self-harm was extreme. “It does not make me homophobic to not want to kiss a man,” Maher said. He compared it to gay men not being attracted to women.
It’s no surprise that Howard’s comments caused anger online. People quickly criticised him on social media, calling his comments “deeply problematic”. One person on X questioned Howard’s repeated public statements showing discomfort with his own masculinity. They wrote, “He performs masculinity for the approval and acceptance of cishet men and despises gay men. We know already.”
Another user mentioned Howard’s past, pointing to claims of domestic abuse from two ex-wives. They added, based on that history, “I’m having a hard time believing he likes women.” Howard did admit in a 2015 Rolling Stone interview that he hit his first wife. His second wife also accused him of assault in a lawsuit that was later dropped.
Terrence Howard has been arrested multiple times and in the news for abusing his wives.
— Ola Ojewumi (@Olas_Truth) April 8, 2025
He admitted to it and was arrested for violently attacking his 1st wife, making terroristic threats, and stalking. Why would you believe his opinions on IPV victim Megan Thee Stallion?! https://t.co/LfXTixRWzF pic.twitter.com/ka5GgD2nnb
Terryology and Strange Statements
Howard has attracted attention before for things other than his acting. He’s known for spending a lot of time, supposedly up to 17 hours a day, on his unusual ideas about the universe. These include creating his own system called “Terryology” and pushing what he calls “True Universal math”. He famously claimed that 1 x 1 = 2. He often spends time making detailed shapes from plastic and copper wire. He sometimes talks about these ideas unexpectedly in interviews and podcasts, which often confuses reporters.
Why Drag Marvin Gaye Into It?
Howard bases his refusal on rumours about Marvin Gaye. But it’s important to check if there’s any truth to these claims. People have guessed about Gaye’s sexuality for years. These guesses are often based on how they read his complex life story, especially David Ritz’s 1985 book Divided Soul: The Life Of Marvin Gaye.
However, no trustworthy sources, like Gaye himself or his family, have ever confirmed these rumours. Gaye was married twice to women. He spoke openly about deep personal struggles with his faith and sexuality, but he never publicly said he was gay or bisexual. Ritz’s ideas have been criticised, even by Gaye’s family, for being just guesses.
#TerrenceHoward didn't want to get it on as Marvin Gaye on the big screen — passing on a starring role in a biopic because Marvin was gay.
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 29, 2025
🎥 Club Random with Bill Maher pic.twitter.com/qQrfdXUs8k
So, the rumours are mostly speculation, not proven facts. Howard seems to be using gossip without proof about a star who has passed away to excuse his discomfort with showing intimacy between men.
In the end, Howard’s graphic refusal shows a lot about his own views, no matter the truth about Gaye. It’s a disappointing and shocking display of anti-gay feelings from a well-known actor
