Joaquin Phoenix Continues to Express Regret Over His Disputed 2009 Interview
In a candid conversation on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* earlier this week, Joaquin Phoenix reflected on his controversial 2009 interview with David Letterman. The actor, who was promoting his mockumentary film *I'm Still Here*, found himself in an unconventional situation that left both the audience and the host feeling uncomfortable.
During the interview, Phoenix, who was fully in character for the film, appeared disheveled and gave one-word answers, leading many viewers to speculate about his mental state. The filming for *I'm Still Here* extended over a year, causing Phoenix to maintain the character both in public and during the interview, which made the experience straining and difficult.
Phoenix admitted that he had wanted Letterman to "lacerate" him during the interview, hoping to make it more "dangerous" and authentic to the act. However, the reaction was far from what he had intended. The interview was met with confusion and widespread speculation, with many viewers believing Phoenix was experiencing a genuine mental breakdown.
Years later, Phoenix expressed significant regret about the appearance. On Tuesday's episode of *The Late Show*, he called it "one of the worst nights of my life" and described the experience as "horrible" and "so uncomfortable." He apologized for any offense caused and promised never to repeat such an experience.
*The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* is a popular late-night talk show that has provided a platform for many high-profile discussions. Phoenix's 2023 discussion of his 2009 interview with David Letterman was no exception, offering viewers a rare insight into the actor's feelings about the controversial event.
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Despite the controversy surrounding his 2009 interview on The Late Show with David Letterman, where he played a controversial character for his movie I'm Still Here, Joaquin Phoenix later expressed regret, calling it one of the worst nights of his life. In the unconventional interview, Phoenix faced widespread speculation about his mental state due to his disheveled appearance and one-word answers, often associated with entertainment, celebrities, and movies-and-tv.
