Actor Michael Rapaport had a weird Wednesday. The 48-year-old took to Instagram yesterday to post a sexist, insult-laden comment on Ariana Grande‘s age and appearance.
Accompanied by a photo of a makeup-less Grande, Rapaport wrote: “Ariana Grande is 27 acts 12, you take off those boots she hides her legs in, the cat eye make up and the genie pony tale and I think there’s hotter women working the counter at Starbucks no disrespect to Starbucks.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Brk2nZ3lurS/
Rapaport’s insulting words immediately sparked a backlash. Comments criticizing his superficially misogynistic take on Grande came pouring in. Rather than find issue with her music or anything else related to her actual career, Rapaport decided to go after her appearance, and the appearances of Starbucks baristas. Not only that, but a simple Google search could have informed Rapaport that Grande is 25, not 27.
“Talk about acting like your are 12, way to tear a woman down for not being as hot as you want her to be,” a commenter responded. Another Instagram user, xmelzeex, tagged comedians Amy Schumer and Lisa Kudrow—Phoebe in Friends, whom Rapaport’s character Gary tried to win over—to explain to Rapaport why his comments were wrong: “@amyschumer call him out for this shit. EXPLAIN WHY this isn’t cool. It’s not just ‘snowflakes’ getting offended by ‘everything.’ This is some dark, misogynist shit. I don’t give a fuck about Ariana Grande, but women/girls need to know this shit isn’t okay…and WHY IT ISNT OKAY. Where’s Phoebe? Lol @lisakudrow.”
People on Twitter were not having it either.
Michael Rapaport is 48, acts 14, you take off his baggy shorts, baggy shirt and trainers from the year 2003 and I think there’s hotter men working the counter at Starbucks no disrespect to Starbucks. pic.twitter.com/q99fa7zHiC
— — ✧ * . ⊹ 𝔩𝔦𝔩𝔶 (@moonlightlilyx) December 20, 2018
“Did that make you feel better putting her down and making her feel like shit,” a user tweeted. “I normally love you but this was uncalled for.”
Did that make you feel better putting her down and making her feel like shit.. I normally love you but this was uncalled for..
— Victoria (@Spontaneous126) December 19, 2018
Another old man telling a young woman her worth only resides in her looks and tells her it’s not enough. Dude, your career went down the drain long ago, YOU ARENT RELEVANT ANYMORE. Also, this tweet is actually acting 12..
— Future Alicia Florrick (@GraceTumblr) December 19, 2018
There were plenty of people who found no issue with Rapaport’s comments. Several Instagram users rallied to his defense, calling out offended users for their defensiveness.
This is not the first time Rapaport has attracted negative attention with his off-color comments. In July of 2018, he made headlines for his posts on Brendon Urie coming out as pansexual, and earlier this month his short video mocking Kanye West and Pete Davidson immediately garnered him negative feedback. To his credit, Rapaport apologized after finding out Davidson’s mental health struggles might not be so “fake” after all.
Over the last 24 hours Pete Davidson and Kanye West have opened up about their serious mental health struggles. Just now: '90s actor Michael Rapaport posts a video mocking them both! Trolling at its worth! Klout-chasing gone horribly wrong!! pic.twitter.com/98jVuxqx5D
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) December 15, 2018
Didn’t realize Pete Davidson posted an actual genuinely scary IG note.
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) December 15, 2018
Had no clue. Was not informed of all of those details. Would never mock someone when they’re truly down.
Sincerely.
I thought this was all the daily normal gossip of the day & was doing my daily take.
For his part, Rapaport doesn’t seem to care much about the backlash he is receiving. Following an influx of angry comments, Rapaport posted to Twitter. “I can say ANYTHING about Cockeyed Kellyanne, Laura Ingram,Melania,Ivanka or Candance Owens & you little Hipster Fake Pussy Power Hat Wearing MoFo’s get hype.Elation,” he wrote. “Talk shit about Arianna Grande and & I hate Women? #Eat3Dwycks”
I can say ANYTHING about Cockeyed Kellyanne, Laura Ingram,Melania,Ivanka or Candance Owens & you little Hipster Fake Pussy Power Hat Wearing MoFo’s get hype.Elation💦💧💦💧
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) December 19, 2018
Talk shit about Arianna Grande & I hate Women? #Eat3Dwycks pic.twitter.com/dnH8teotkk
Grande has yet to respond to the insults. It’s unclear if she’ll ever read them.
H/T Jezebel