14 DAY TRIAL // Even if his publicist repeatedly said that there was no “joke” and no “hoax” about Joaquin Phoenix’s decision to quit acting and start a career as a rapper, almost no one believed him. Most fans chose to go with that he was making a mockumentary like British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen as an explanation for his erratic behavior – behavior that got even weirder than last time word of Phoenix surfaced in the media, the National Enquirer says (story via here).
Last time fans got to hear anything about the actor and his rapping endeavors was when Casey Affleck, Ben’s brother and Joaquin’s close friend, announced he needed help for the documentary he was making on the latter’s transition from movie to music. Before that, there were a couple of erratic appearances on television, and plenty of interviews in which all those who knew him or had the chance to share the same set as him expressed their concerns. Now, Joaquin Phoenix has gone cape shopping.
“It’s no hoax, folks – Joaquin Phoenix is one nutty fruitcake! The looney-toony star, dressed like a homeless derelict and muttering to himself nonstop, was spotted pawing through racks of clothes at Red Balls on Melrose, where he finally grabbed a black velvet cape, black trousers and mesh top, ducked into a dressing room – and began belting rap songs. Emerging in his new outfit, he told the salesgirl he’d be wearing it home.” the National Enquirer writes.
The salesgirl was completely shocked about the man in front of her, the tab further writes, but did not lose her cool. “What form of payment will you be using today, sir?” she asked and “then nearly jumped out of her skin when Phoenix banged down a wad of cash and yelled: ‘MONEY!’” the Enquirer says. A witness confirms the story, as usual, under the cover of anonymity: “He mumbled madly while the girl counted out his change and offered him a bag for his own clothes. Joaquin never said a word, rushed out of the store wearing his velvet cape – and dumped his old clothes in the nearest trash can!”
Joaquin’s transition from one career to another has been intensely ridiculed in the media, no matter how many denials his publicist issued, saying that there was no hoax to speak of. A couple of seemingly drunk performances in Las Vegas clubs and on television did not help with creating the impression that he was serious about the crossover. However, given that Phoenix has always had a solid reputation as an actor, it is believed he did not simply “lose it,” but is rather trying to pull a fast one on the audiences with a mockumentary, as also noted above.