‘Magic Mike’ star Alex Pettyfer: ‘Channing Tatum doesn’t like me’

MANILA, Philippines – “Channing Tatum does not like me,” Alex Pettyfer said on Bret Easton Ellis’ BEE podcast. “For many reasons. Many being my own fault.”

In the episode, which was released online on November 30, Alex cleared up a couple of rumors about him, giving his side of the story.

There was one rumor he said was true though – that he and Magic Mike co-star Channing Tatum don’t get along. Rumors flew that Alex did not get along with Channing and the rest of the Magic Mike cast, because he wasn’t cast in the sequel, Magic Mike XXL.

In the podcast, released online on November 30, Alex said that his reputation as a difficult actor to work with preceded him when it came to Channing’s hesitation about casting for Magic Mike.

“Channing Tatum is an extraordinarily smart businessman, and he thought that Steven (Soderbergh, Magic Mike‘s director)… was making a poor decision,” said Alex, later explaining that Channing brought his own money into the film. “He was not sold on me being a part of this film because he looked upon me as being a risk. Which rightfully so, you know, I was still young.”

Alex said that he did fly out to New Orleans from London to meet with Channing, but in the end, he thinks he was cast because “[Channing] probably didn’t want to get into a conflict with Steven.”

On set, Alex thought it would be best to be quiet and reserved, but his silence worked against him. “I didn’t speak on the movie [set]. I was scared to speak. I did my work and then I sat in the corner and listened to music because I’d been told that anything I do was wrong by my reps and just I was very insecure as a human being. That also gave me a bad rep because they said, ‘Oh Alex thinks he’s f–ing better than everybody else because he doesn’t speak to anyone.’ And that’s not true. I was genuinely nervous and scared to be myself.”

After filming Magic Mike, Alex moved into a New York apartment owned by a friend of Channing’s. He decided to leave because his allergies acted up, but failed to pay the 4 months’ rent he owed because of his cousin’s sudden death. Alex repeatedly said in the podcast though, that he really should have paid.

“I all of a sudden got a very negative email from Channing, rightfully so, saying, ‘Don’t f–ck my friends. You owe money. Pay the f–cking money. Don’t be a clown.’ And I really took that the wrong way, which I shouldn’t have,” recounted Alex.

In reply to the email, Alex said, “I’m in a very negative situation, negative headspace, can you respect me for a minute?”

After being “hounded through this time of grieving for money,” Alex eventually decided not to pay at all. “By the end of it I just basically said, ‘F–ck them. What is money when life is so much more?’ and, ‘I’m not dealing with this, and I’m not paying.’ I should have just paid. I think he was looking for an excuse to not like me.”

By the time they had moved on to reshoots for the movie, Alex said, “[Channing] had already told everyone he didn’t like me, and what Channing says goes because he’s a movie star. He’s incredible. He’s done so well for himself.”

On Channing and the situation, Alex ended, “I’m very thankful for what happened because it was me who made the poor decisions, not him… There are certain situations where I’ve been in a room and I’ve been like, ‘I dont’ really like that person.’ I don’t, you know, bring it to fruition, but I’ve been in that situation. So for me, I totally understand.”

You can listen to the whole podcast below:

Channing hasn’t yet posted anything related to the topic on Twitter or Instagram. 

What’s your take on Alex Pettyfer and Channing Tatum’s conflict? Tell us in the comments! – Rappler.com