Adam Driver walks out of NPR interview after they play Marriage Story singing clip

18 December 2019, 14:24

By Nicky Idika

In a recent New Yorker article, Adam Driver's aversion to watching and hearing his performances was described as a "phobia". Executive producer for NPR's Fresh Air, Danny Miller said: "We don't really understand why he left. We were looking forward to the interview".

Netflix's Marriage Story is perhaps one of the most talked about films on the platform this year. The Noah Baumbach drama stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver as Nicole and Charlie, a couple going through a complicated separation and divorce. This week, while doing press on NPR's Fresh Air, Driver reportedly walked out of the interview after being played a clip of his singing in the film.

READ MORE: The Scarlett Johansson dancing meme from Marriage Story is hilariously savage

In Marriage Story, Adam Driver's character does a melancholy solo performance of Sondheim's 'Being Alive' after finalising the terms of his divorce. The moody moment takes place in a bar and is meant to convey yearning for the closeness of a romantic relationship.

Adam Driver Sings Sondheim's 'Being Alive' In Marriage Story | Netflix

To promote the film, Driver agreed to appear on NPR's Fresh Air. But according to Variety, Driver left "mid-interview" after being played a clip of his character singing 'Being Alive'. In a statement to the publication, Fresh Air executive producer Danny Miller said: "We don't really understand why he left. We were looking forward to the interview – Terry thinks he's a terrific actor."

Miller continued: "We knew from our previous interview with Adam Driver that he does not enjoy listening back to clips of his movies (that isn't unusual, a lot of actors feel that way)."

Miller says that Driver was prompted to remove his headphones while the singing clip played but by the time the clip had ended, the actor had "walked out of the studio, and then left the building".

In a recent New Yorker article, Adam Driver's aversion to watching himself on screen is described as a "phobia". In the interview, he recalls feeling like he "had to puke" during a 2015 screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

People on social media, including fellow actress Jameela Jamil defended Driver.

"Super understandable why #AdamDriver walked out of the interview. Dude has been open about his anxiety and phobia of watching himself act. Anybody who calls him childish is rude and doesn't understand mental health," wrote one Twitter user.

Jameela Jamil also called out "snide" tweets about the situation.

Adam Driver is yet to comment on the interview in question.