Glen Powell details uncomfortable moment with a 'toxic' celebrity who was 'recently canceled'

Glen Powell says he faced an uncomfortable moment at a Hollywood party with a celebrity who had been “on the ropes in terms of getting canceled.” The actor, known for Top Gun: Maverick and recent projects, described the encounter during a conversation on Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast this week, detailing a gathering that included cameras, press and high-profile attendees.

Powell, 36, did not name the individual, but he described a moment that underscored the ethical tightrope actors navigate when public opinion swirls around colleagues. “I showed up to the party and there was somebody that had been on the ropes in terms of getting canceled,” Powell said, noting that the event was the kind of Hollywood gathering where photos are snapped and headlines are born. He added that the person had made some of his favorite movies, which made the moment feel awkward rather than celebratory: “This person had made some of my favorite movies and I was like, ‘Oh, this is great.’ He came up and he said, ‘Nice to meet you.’ I was like, ‘Oh, dude. Such a big fan.’”

As the exchange unfolded, a photographer asked if Powell and the celebrity would pose for a photo, and the actor recalled hesitating. Powell said the star was “recently canceled and it was not good. I was a fan of their work but not a fan of their choices,” emphasizing the tension between admiration for a body of work and disapproval of recent conduct. He reiterated the moment with the line that stuck with him: “So, I was kind of just being nice. But then, when they wanted to take a picture with you, I realized very quickly — I was like, ‘Ooh, I don’t know if this is a good idea.'” The actor stressed that the other person “clearly clocked” his hesitation, but Powell stood by his decision.

Powell went further to articulate the conflict he perceived in real time. “I realized, this guy, his face is toxic,” he recalled, describing the public reaction he observed as people at large reacted viscerally to the celebrity’s past choices. The remark was not framed as a blanket condemnation but as an observation of how public perception had shifted around the individual. Powell indicated that moving forward with a photo could amplify the star’s notoriety rather than mitigate it, especially at a moment when the press was present and public sentiment was palpable.

In reflecting on the exchange, Powell drew a parallel to a fictional arc from his own work. He compared the unknown star to Russ Holliday, his character on Chad Powers, a football player who faced consequences for his actions and attempted to revive his career by disguising himself to join another team. “Russ Holliday is just a guy that made a mistake. He’s not a bad guy. Some of these other people that get canceled, they should lie where they’re shot,” Powell contended, using the fictional framework to illustrate a broader point about accountability. The comparison appeared to frame Powell’s stance as a nuanced distinction between a misstep and a pattern of behavior that warrants ongoing public scrutiny.

The podcast account comes as a broader conversation about accountability and redemption continues to shape entertainment coverage. Powell did not disclose the other party’s name or offer additional specifics about the alleged behavior that led to the person’s canceled status. Page Six reached out to Powell’s representative for comment, but there was no immediate response.

[Image]

The anecdote underscores the delicate balance celebrities navigate when engaging with peers who have faced public backlash. Powell’s portrayal of hesitation to snapshot a controversial figure at a social event highlights how appearances at industry gatherings can become touchpoints for larger debates about reputation, responsibility, and the evolving norms of cancel culture. While Powell declined to name the party guest, his reflections contribute to a broader narrative about how fans, colleagues and photographers interpret moments of direct contact with individuals who have sparked public controversy. The exchange also raises questions about how much weight is given to a person’s past work in determining whether a present interaction is appropriate or advisable in highly public spaces.

Powell’s account has sparked additional discussion within celebrity and pop culture media circles, where observers weigh the impact of past misfires on current opportunities and relationships. In recounting the incident, Powell emphasizes his own limits in the moment—choosing restraint and prioritizing public sentiment over additional exposure for someone whose decisions had generated significant backlash.

As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, Powell’s reflection offers a window into how figures in the industry navigate conversations at the intersection of fame, accountability and audience expectations. The anecdote, recounted on a popular podcast, adds another datapoint to the ongoing dialogue about the boundaries of fan admiration, professional courtesy and the consequences that accompany a public reckoning.

[Image]