The energy in Solomon on Friday afternoon was unlike that of a normal weekday. Hundreds of students sat at the edge of their chairs, trying to get a closer look at James Franco, who comfortably reclined back in his seat on stage. Flocks of students had lined up as early as noon for a chance to attend an interview with Franco moderated by Charlie Rose.
Franco mostly talked about the importance of education, his desire to blend different forms of creative expression, and his promising yet unpredictable plans for the future. He answered most of Rose’s questions with ease and charm. Sitting back comfortably in his chair, he made light jokes while remaining serious. That is, until Rose brought up the Oscars.
Franco said that, though he received criticism about his performance in hosting the Oscars, he said he never claimed to be “the best Oscars host.” Though he did seem upset by the criticism, he noted that the Oscars are something people complain about one way or another, yet they still end up watching it. He mentioned that he took hosting as a learning experience and never claimed to be the best. By the end of answering Rose’s question, his confidence in himself, despite the criticism, had shone through.
After about an hour with Franco, Rose concluded to let students ask the actor whatever questions they wanted. Here was our chance to represent Brown to a huge celebrity and ask him anything.
There was only time for two questions. The first student to ask a question said something along the lines of, “my friends and I rolled a blunt and wanted to know if you would smoke with us.” Posed with this uncomfortable question, Franco chuckled and said it was up to Rose, who obviously declined.
I found it highly inappropriate and just simply a waste of time to ask Franco this ridiculous question. In addition, Rose was recording the entire interview for his show. Brown already has a reputation for its relaxed attitude towards drugs, and frankly, I find this reputation quite annoying and untrue at times. When we only had the chance to ask two questions, it was such a waste to perpetuate this misconception that all Brown students are potheads and ask a celebrity like James Franco and respected broadcast reporter like Charlie Rose to smoke with us.
Following this question, another student asked the actor a more serious question. Despite being placed in an uncomfortable position just moments earlier, Franco answered with the same charisma he had for the entire interview.
During the final applause, Emily Braun ’13 shouted a question she had wanted to pose to Franco, but ran out of time to ask. “Do you have a girlfriend?” she tried to yell over the applause. It’s doubtful that he heard her, and regardless, he did not answer. This question might have been silly, but it was genuinely something at least half the girls in Solomon on Friday afternoon were curious about. Leaving the auditorium, you could hear so many girls recalling the way Franco smiled or stroked his chin when answering questions.
Though still unsure about Franco’s relationship status, I am certain that we were lucky to have such an intelligent, well spoken, and I’ll just say it—hot celebrity visit our campus.
Â