Despite never having met the late composer Leonard Bernstein, Bradley Cooper received a lot of backlash from TikTok users when he showed how much he missed the late composer by crying. In a December interview that surfaced again, “CBS Sunday Morning” journalist Mo Rocca asked Cooper if he missed the character of Leonard Bernstein, who he played in the 2023 movie “Maestro.” The question made the actor cry.
Yes, that’s right. It’s difficult to discuss,” 49-year-old Cooper remarked, getting more emotional. “I’m not sure. We have something really unique in common. He was definitely with me the entire time we were filming, though it’s difficult to say.
The actor from “A Star Is Born” claimed that he has absorbed Bernstein’s “energy.” “I feel like I know him,” he continued. Cooper was seated for the interview with the conductor’s three adult children, Jamie, Nina, and Alexander, which added to the awkwardness of the scenario.
The Oscar Contender Was Publicly Criticized by TikTok Users
The Oscar contender was publicly ridiculed by TikTok users for crying over a person he never met when the video went viral. One reviewer said, “That’s actually an insane thing to say.”
Another individual said, “Bradley Cooper is an idiot even [Bernstein’s] kids didn’t get that emotional.” A third user said, “Just so everyone knows, Leonard Bernstein passed away in 1990.” Another fan responded, “Bradley Cooper was 15 years old when this man died, he doesn’t miss or know shit.”
“This is his best performance,” a jokester remarked. Others, however, came to Cooper’s rescue, pointing out that actors frequently feel bonded to their roles.
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“He literally studied the man for three years.” He practiced his job daily. “No doubt, it’s become a part of him,” a fan added. “F-k all y’all in the comments, Bradley Cooper is a legend. Go find another perspective. Weirdos,” a TikTok user wrote.
This isn’t the first time Cooper has faced criticism for his part in the Oscar-nominated drama, which he also directed.
The “Hangover” Star Was Criticized for Wearing a Large Prosthetic Nose
The “Hangover” actress was chastised for donning a huge prosthetic nose while playing Bernstein, who was Jewish.
“If Bradley Cooper can play the Elephant Man without any prosthetics, he should be able to play a Jewish man without any prosthetics — especially a ‘Jewish’ nose,” she said, adding that the prosthetic is the “equivalent of Black-Face or Yellow-Face.” Jewish actress Tracy-Ann Oberman told Page Six last year.
Oberman’s comments were echoed by social media users, who referred to Cooper’s inappropriate makeup choice as “Jewface.”
The Irish-Italian Catholic director, however, defended his choice to wear the prosthetic by saying, “The truth is,” to Gayle King on CBS in November 2023. I completed the entire process out of love, and I can clearly see my origins.
Cooper went on, “Actually, my nose and Lenny’s nose are pretty similar. Maybe we don’t need to do this, I thought, but it’s all about balance, and my chin and lips are nothing like Lenny’s.”
As Bernstein grew older in the movie, he claimed he “didn’t look right [without the prosthetic]” and that they ultimately needed to employ more prosthetics.