It’s either a “Borat”-style hoax, or a study in mental illness. Whatever it turns out to be, Oscar-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix’s bizarre rap career turned violent last night at one of his rap gigs in Miami. An audience member heckled the bedraggled-looking actor, who launched himself into the crowd and wrestled the man to the ground while screaming obscenities at him. I guess that’s better than listening to his music, because the crowd seemed to like it.
JOAQUIN PHOENIX was involved in a huge brawl while performing at a Miami night club last night, wrestling a heckler to the ground before being dragged off by security.
The actor-turned-rapper, 34, jumped off the stage mid-way through his appearance to confront the mouthy audience member.
An enraged Joaquin, sounding a little more coherent than in recent times, announced: “We have a f***ing b**** in the audience.
Nodding his head while rapping to a beat, he told the man: “I’ve got $1million in the bank. What have you got b****?”
Joaquin – who sources say arrived four hours late for the gig at the LIV night club in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel – then launched himself into the crowd.
The crowd chanted “beat him up, beat him up” as Joaquin got stuck in.
The incident took place at around 2am. Joaquin was in his usual get-up of suit, dirty trainers and taped-up sunglasses along with his now-trademark scruffy beard.
One fan said: “I saw the guy screaming at Joaquin.
“Joaquin then flipped and jumped into the crowd.”
The Walk The Line star, who has battled alcohol addiction in the past, has prompted concerns for his well-being since announcing his retirement from acting in October.
He made a disastrous hip-hop debut in Las Vegas in January where he performed three tracks before falling off stage.
Joaquin then caused further worry with a shambolic appearance on David Letterman’s Late Show.
However many fans feel the whole thing is a hoax, as all the incidents have been filmed by his brother-in-law CASEY AFFLECK.
Casey was once again in the audience in Miami, capturing the the performance on his video camera.
Artist or a-hole? Brilliant satirist or looney bird? Look, the guy’s a weirdo, there’s no doubt about it. But you can’t say he isn’t entertaining. I hope we find out soon exactly what the deal is with him and this “career” in the music industry. Any guesses?
Here’s Joaquin, looking very…unsanitary, just hours before his gig at the Fountainebleu Hotel. Photo Credit:Johnny Louis/WENN.
“I guess that’s better than listening to his music, because the crowd seemed to like it.”
ah man that made me LOL! award winning stuff there 😀
Can someone just give this dude a hug. He is obviously seeking attention.
Yeah, nothing helps “street cred” with the brothas like bragging about how you wisely invest your money in interest-bearing assets.
In his next show, he’ll be rapping about taking care of his children and wearing pants that fit.
A much better project would be to become Jennifer Aniston’s boyfriend without letting her know you were pretending and taping the whole thing. You could get at least one full season on “E!” out of that.
What is this, the second coming of Andy Kaufman? Or a Borat rip-off? Dude, it’s been done before, give it a rest.
Another question: was David Letterman in on this?
It’s the drugs. All I can say, is that if he has people who care for him and are close to him and don’t want another “Heath tragedy”- now is the time to act.
Don’t show up when it’s too late and claim you cared, but didn’t think it would get out of control.
I think something is definitely going on with Joaquin Phoenix. He is acting very odd lately.
Borrrrrrrrring!!!!!!!!!!
@Santacruz–you said it. Whatever the reality behind this garbage, all it’s doing is boring people. Fake or real, he will have no relavance at all in a few months time.
Maybe he can try a NEW career after all this…I bet, as an actor, he can be very sincere when he says “You want fries with that?”
He looks dirty and sleezy. Used to be my fav actor. I fell in love with him in Ladder 49 – but he is really in desperate need of something … someone give him some Prozac … perhaps this is his midlife crisis