Anne Hathaway has been a topic of strong opinions among many people, with some expressing negative views and even labeling themselves as “Hathahaters”. However, her entire character came under scrutiny when a particular incident involving a reporter unfolded.
During the premiere of her film Interstellar in Los Angeles back in 2014, Anne Hathaway refused to shake hands with an Argentine reporter named Alexis Puig. Puig had traveled all the way from Buenos Aires to Hollywood with the hope of interviewing Hathaway and her co-stars in a junket interview. He had approached each of them, intending to greet them professionally by shaking their hands, but Hathaway rebuffed his gesture of warmth.
This incident raised eyebrows and drew attention from the journalist community. Puig’s encounter with Hathaway left him questioning her character, creating absolute chaos that garnered journalistic criticism.
What Happened Between Anne Hathaway and Alexis Puig At The Premier of Interstellar?
Anne Hathaway has faced her fair share of uncomfortable and unsettling interviews throughout her career. She has often found herself in unfortunate situations where she needed to defend herself against insensitive interviewers who crossed boundaries with inappropriate questions. Whether it’s being scrutinized about her weight for a role or dealing with a wardrobe malfunction at a movie premiere, Hathaway has encountered various challenging moments.
However, one particular interview stands out as a surprising and unexpected incident. It took place during the Los Angeles premiere of the highly acclaimed sci-fi film Interstellar, in 2014. Alongside her co-stars Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, and director Christopher Nolan, Hathaway encountered Alexis Puig, an Argentinian journalist. As they engaged in brief interviews, there was an overall pleasant exchange of words, and the cast’s genuine enthusiasm for the film was palpable.
Upon the conclusion of the interviews, Puig extended congratulations and proceeded to shake hands with everyone present, or so it seemed. To the surprise of everyone, Anne Hathaway did not reciprocate the handshake. Puig, who was 31 years old at the time, alleged that Hathaway had intentionally avoided physical contact out of a fear of contracting Ebola, despite the fact that the virus had not yet reached South America.
This incident sparked considerable attention and discussion, causing eyebrows to raise and leading to inquiries about Hathaway’s actions. It caught her completely off guard and presented yet another challenging situation for her to navigate in the public eye.
How Did Interstellar star Anne Hathaway React To This Accusation?
Following the accusations made against Anne Hathaway, her publicist seized the opportunity to vehemently refute the claims. However, before the publicist could respond, Mr. Puig took one final dig at the actress. Upon returning to Buenos Aires, he took to Twitter and wrote, “Gracias a todos por sus comentarios. Por suerte ya estoy en Buenos Aires, Argentina (ciudad y país libre de Ebola) …y por casa Anne?” which translates to,
“Thank you to everyone for your comments. Luckily I’m already in Buenos Aires, Argentina (a city and country free of Ebola)…and what about Anne?”
It’s worth noting that as of May 2022, there have been no reported cases of Ebola in Argentina, though the same cannot be said for the US.
While these accusations may have seemed ridiculous and far-fetched, they likely only mildly irritated the young actress when compared to the numerous instances of negative press she has encountered over the years. According to a spokesperson for Anne Hathaway, as reported by DailyMail UK, an explanation was provided for her hesitance to shake hands with the journalist. The spokesperson stated,
“That is nonsense – she wasn’t shaking anyone’s hands because she was coming down with a cold and didn’t want to get anyone sick.”
It appears that Hathaway may have been acting out of politeness, prioritizing the well-being of others over her.
Source: Independent
