Six-packs and strip teases aside, Magic Mike was not a fun movie to make if your name is Alex Pettyfer. In a new interview with screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis for his "B.E.E." podcast, the 25-year-old details the aftermath of getting hired for one of the biggest movie roles of his career.
"I was scared to speak. I actually did my work, and I sat in the corner and listened to music because I had been told that anything that I do was wrong by my reps," Alex says in the podcast, released Monday. "I was very insecure as a human being. That also gave me a bad rep because they said, 'Alex thinks he's fucking better than anyone else because he doesn't speak to anyone.' That's not true. I was just genuinely nervous and scared to be myself."
Channing's dislike, according to the British actor, was in part due to an apartment rental in New York City. When Alex was still engaged to Riley Keough, the couple rented a place that belonged to a friend of Channing's. They moved out shortly after because Alex couldn't breathe due to what he believed was mold and dust in the apartment. Then his cousin passed away.
"All of a sudden I got a very negative email from Channing, rightfully so, saying, 'Don't fuck my friends. You owe money. Pay the fucking money. Don't be a clown.' And I really took that the wrong way, which I shouldn't have. And emailed him back saying, 'I'm in a negative headspace, can you respect me for a moment?' And I just got hounded through this time of grieving for money."
When it came time for Magic Mike reshoots, Alex claims that his co-star had already "told everyone he didn't like me … what Channing says goes. He's a movie star. He's incredible."
Still, the actor, who did not get the call to make Magic Mike XXL, is grateful for the experience.
"It was me who made the poor decision. Not him. I made the poor decision."
Listen to the full interview here. The juicy Channing Tatum stuff starts around the 1-hour, 7-minute mark.
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