The simmering feud between actors Kevin Spacey and Guy Pearce has erupted once again, with Spacey firing back at Pearce’s allegations that he was ‘targeted’ by the disgraced star on the set of their 1997 film LA Confidential. In a series of blistering posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Spacey told Pearce to ‘grow up’ and insisted ‘you are not a victim.’
The heated exchange was sparked by Pearce’s recent comments to the Hollywood Reporter, where he expanded on his previous claim that Spacey was a ‘handsy guy’ during their time working together. Pearce alleged that Spacey ‘targeted me, no question’ and said he felt ‘scared’ of the older actor due to his aggressive personality. The Australian actor called the #MeToo movement an ‘incredible wake-up call’ and admitted he broke down sobbing when the flood of sexual misconduct allegations against Spacey emerged in 2017.
‘I’ve Got Nothing to Hide’: Spacey Goes on the Attack
But Spacey was having none of it. In a series of angry posts, he accused Pearce of playing the ‘victim narrative’ and suggested the younger actor was being disingenuous in his public comments. ‘We worked together a long time ago,’ Spacey wrote. ‘If I did something then that upset you, you could have reached out to me.’
The Oscar-winner, who has been largely shunned by Hollywood in the wake of the allegations, pointed out that Pearce had flown to visit him on the Georgia set of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil a year after LA Confidential wrapped. ‘I mean, did you tell the press that too, or does that not fit into the victim narrative you have going?’ Spacey needled.
You want to have a conversation? I’m happy to do so, anytime, anyplace. We can even do it here, live on X, if you like. I’ve got nothing to hide.
– Kevin Spacey to Guy Pearce
From #MeToo to ‘Grow Up’: Spacey Slams Pearce as ‘Not a Victim’
Spacey acknowledged that Pearce had raised the alleged behavior with him years later, but claimed those confrontations ‘got ugly.’ He apologized for ‘not getting the message that you don’t like spending time with me’ but suggested Pearce’s motivations were suspect. ‘Maybe there was another reason, I don’t know, but that doesn’t make any sense,’ Spacey wrote. ‘That you would have just been leading me on, right?’
In the end, Spacey delivered a blunt message to his former co-star: ‘Grow up.’ He reiterated that Pearce is ‘not a victim’ and offered to have a face-to-face conversation about the allegations anytime, anywhere – even in a live forum on X. ‘I’ve got nothing to hide,’ Spacey declared. ‘But Guy – you need to grow up.’
Spacey’s Defiant Stance: ‘I’ve Listened, I’ve Learned’
The defiant response is in keeping with Spacey’s limited public comments on the scandal that derailed his career at the height of the #MeToo movement. Though he’s conceded making some ‘clumsy’ approaches to men in the past, Spacey has consistently denied any illegal conduct. He was acquitted of sexual assault in a UK trial and saw other cases dismissed or dropped.
In a rare interview last May, Spacey said he felt the pendulum of the #MeToo movement had ‘swung very, very far in the direction of unfairness.’ But he also claimed to have absorbed the cultural shift, insisting ‘I’ve listened. I’ve learned. I’ve got the memo.’
- Related: Kevin Spacey Sexual Misconduct Allegations: A Timeline
- Analysis: For #MeToo Accused, Is Redemption Possible?
- Reaction: Guy Pearce ‘Processing’ Spacey’s Fiery Response
As for Pearce, he’s yet to respond publicly to Spacey’s latest salvo. But in his interview with the Hollywood Reporter, he said he hesitated to call himself a victim ‘even though I probably was a victim to a degree.’ With Spacey now challenging him to ‘grow up’ and denying any wrongdoing, it remains to be seen whether Pearce will return fire or refrain from further escalation in this war of words between the erstwhile LA Confidential stars.
