Catherine Zeta-Jones Talks About A 'New Generation' Of Fans
Talking to Meyers about the new audience, the Chicago actress said: "What was really great about what's happening in this… is that I've got this, like, new kind of generation of fans."
She then recalled one encounter with a young admirer, telling Meyers: "I was hitting golf balls with Michael [Douglas] the other day on the driving range, I was practicing, and this really cute 12-year-old boy came up and asked for my autograph."
But it was her follow-up that sparked controversy, as she went on: "He was, like, really cute. And then I went, 'Ha ha! When I'm 70, this cute little boy will be like, 33.'"
Meyers asked if her husband knew what was going through her mind at the time, to which she joked: "Yeah, he usually thinks I'm wondering what club to pick. But I'm not. I'm going, 'Hmm. At that time, I'm sure it'll be just fine.'"
The Internet Calls Catherine Zeta-Jones' Comment 'Creepy'
The comments didn't sit well with viewers, with many taking to Reddit to slam her words as "creepy" and "inappropriate," among other things. Some referenced her marriage to Douglas, who is 25 years her senior, while others thought this anecdote crossed a very different line…
"Why did her mind automatically start thinking about the child that way?" asked one fan on Reddit. "It's creepy. Who has these thoughts when they have an interaction with a 12-year-old?" asked a second, in agreement, as a third echoed: "I watched this twice to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding." "Same. At first I didn't even understand that she was saying that she was attracted to a 12-year-old. This is so creepy," concurred a fourth.
"Girl what?" asked a fifth, as a sixth slammed: "That's an inside thought." "How disturbing," noted a seventh, as an eighth said: "Oops. That's inappropriate." A ninth wondered: "She definitely thought this boy would be flattered. She'd probably be wrong."
And a tenth chimed in: "Listen, I know she is married to a much older man, but she was one whole adult when she made that decision. Thinking and speaking about a literal child in this manner is unacceptable and I am absolutely appalled that she thought this would be a cute story to share with the world. Girl, just stop."