"I would cut my lips off": Terrence Howard claims he turned down starring in Marvin Gaye because of the prospect of 'kissing a man'

On Bill Maher's Club Random podcast, actor Terrence Howard recently spoke about his choice to decline a part as Marvin Gaye in a forthcoming biopic. Howard said he was uneasy with the prospect of kissing another man on television, which motivated him to turn down the opportunity. The claims about Gaye's sexuality that Howard discovered from music legend Quincy Jones caused him to decline to perform a role involving same-sex intercourse.

He said candidly,

"If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off."

His comments have generated new debate on the boundaries of art and the need for personal values.

Terrence Howard claims he turned down starring in Marvin Gaye because of the prospect of 'kissing a man'

Over the past 20 years, several directors have attempted to translate Marvin Gaye's life narrative onto the big screen. No initiatives, including Jesse L. Martin, Lenny Kravitz, F. Gary Gray, Julien Temple, or any of the related names, ever came to fruition. Cameron Crowe was talking to cast Will Smith or Terrence Howard as the lead in his 2010s film My Name Is Marvin, yet she ultimately decided that the time was not appropriate and she halted production.

Lee Daniels, co-creator of Empire, had spoken about Howard portraying Gaye; he is best known for his 2005 Oscar-nominated performance in Hustle & Flow, when he portrayed Lucious Lyon. Howard says Daniels contacted him with the role, but he declined the opportunity to feature in Smokey Robinson's book as he was too dedicated to the Gaye project.

On the April 27, 2025, episode of Bill Maher's Club Random podcast, Howard remembered a pivotal dinner at Quincy Jones's home during which he grilled Jones on the continuing doubts around Marvin Gaye's sexuality. Howard said no because he doesn't act. It would disgust me. I would cut my lip capillaries.

Should I do it, I would cut my lip. Howard said, stressing that his commitment to reality, not homophobia, was the cause of his inability to fully portray that character. Giving up power to something I don't understand is not an option for me.

Howard's denial emphasizes the industry's general trend toward more inclusive and complex representation. In contrast to the past, when subjects' lives were occasionally skimmed over or otherwise ignored, audiences and producers today expect biopics to be honest, even if it means leaving their comfort zones. For actors and directors, striking a balance between personal authenticity and the creative need to depict complex reality is difficult.

John Terrance Howard's candid admission that he would rather cut his lips than film a same-sex kiss highlights the evolving dynamics of biographical story, actor agency, and social attitudes on sexuality.

The cinema industry is becoming more ready to show LGBTQ themes, which contradicts his viewpoint, which is founded on personal integrity. Howard's remarks have revived the age-old issue of how to honor great figures without compromising artistic integrity and personal conviction; nonetheless, it is unknown if future Marvin Gaye projects will address these issues.

​

Divya Burman is a journalist at Primetimer 

She has completed her graduation in English Literature, which fuelled her interest in writing. A curious learner, Divya isn't scared to move out of her comfort zone and reviews her work from a critical point of view.

Divya has multiple years of work experience, including at companies like TechWhoop and Vimana. She also worked as a programme facilitator at MyCaptain.

Divya is also fond of research and keeping herself up to date on the latest trends in the world of fashion. In her free time, she indulges in music and reading and loves to watch films.