Tom Cruise should stick to stunts.
The “Mission: Impossible” star, 62, is being eviscerated online for how he eats popcorn after a video of him indulging in the tasty treat made the rounds, in what is now being considered #popcorngate.
In the hilarious Instagram clip, Cruise is seen frantically throwing the kernels in his mouth as he’s being introduced to take the stage at what appeared to be the BFI IMAX in London during an event earlier this month.
The movie star has been doing press for the eighth and rumored last “Mission: Impossible” installment, “The Final Reckoning.” However, the audience seemed to be more interested in his popcorn eating abilities than hearing about the flick.
Wearing a dark-colored suit with an unbuttoned dress shirt and no tie, Cruise appeared laid back and unbothered as he chomped down on his movie snack while the announcer introduced him to a room full of people.
Shoveling the kernels down his throat, and sometimes missing his mouth, many flocked to the video’s comment section to rip the action star’s eating habits.
Several accused him of giving dad energy.
“He’s eating it like any other Middle Aged dad!!” one person wrote. ” The dad shake and throw in the mouth. This is peak male performance. 🙌😂,” joked another.
Some said he reminded them of their grandpa.
“That’s how my grandpa used to eat roasted peanuts lol,” added one user, while someone else responded, “hahaha exactly my grandpa always eats snacks this way.”
But many came to the “Top Gun” star’s defense.
“Tom Cruise will eat the way he wants because he is Tom Cruise,” one fan wrote. “Bro literally the main character 😭,” shared another.
Meanwhile, Cruise has already responded to the pesky popcorn police, laughing them off and practically turning red in the process.
Speaking to Darius Butler on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the Hollywood icon addressed #popcorngate.
“Are you actually eating popcorn or are you full of s–t right here?” Butler asked Cruise, who was already hunched over and practically hyperventilating when the camera turned to him.
“Man, I’m eating popcorn,” he responded through laughs. “They know when I’m going to these movies that I’m watching, I’m eating popcorn.”
Cruise has recently made headline for several things besides his love of popcorn.
The actor made a rare comment about fatherhood, despite still being estranged from his daughter, Suri, 19, whom he shares with ex-wife Katie Holmes.
Cruise was also recently linked to actress Ana de Armas, 37, and praised her over her performance in the upcoming film “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina.” His remarks further fueled the relationship rumors.
Cruise has been married three times: to Mimi Rogers (1987–1990), Nicole Kidman (1990–2001), and Holmes (2006–2012).
Besides Suri, Cruise is also a father to daughter Isabella, 32, and son Connor, 30, whom he adopted with Kidman.
His latest film, “The Final Reckoning,” hits theaters on Friday, May 23.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
