Imagine being a rising star at a Hollywood party, only to be asked to take a photo with someone recently labeled 'canceled.' That’s exactly what happened to Glen Powell, star of Twisters and The Running Man, during a recent interview on Therapuss with Jake Shane. In a candid moment, he shared how he refused to pose with an actor whose career had taken a dramatic turn due to controversial choices.
But here's where it gets controversial: Powell didn’t outright reject the request. Instead, he hesitated, realizing the person’s presence might be more harmful than helpful. "His face is toxic," he said, describing how others reacted negatively to the actor’s past decisions. This moment sparked a deeper conversation about cancel culture and the pressure to forget mistakes in today’s hyper-connected world.
Powell explained that while he admired the actor’s previous work, he couldn’t ignore the impact of their recent behavior. "It’s not just about being a fan of someone’s talent—it’s about how they choose to represent themselves," he emphasized. This resonated with his character, Russ Holiday, in his Hulu comedy Chad Powers, a man who makes a mistake, tries to redeem himself, and learns the value of accountability.
And this is the part most people miss: cancel culture isn’t just about judging someone’s past. It’s about how society remembers and reacts to those mistakes. With platforms like TikTok and Instagram, even small errors can go viral, creating a permanent record. Powell questioned whether some people double down on negativity or truly seek redemption. "It’s beautiful when someone says, ‘I’m sorry,’" he said. "But how many of us actually do that?"
Chad Powers is now streaming on Hulu, and Powell’s next project, an updated version of Stephen King’s The Running Man, hits theaters on November 14. What do you think—should people be held accountable for past mistakes, or does cancel culture go too far? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
