“Are we going to talk about my penis?”
That’s Orlando Bloom, breaking the ice with an interviewer for a feature story in Elle UK.
He’s referring, of course, to a much-reported incident in August 2016, in which the actor was photographed paddleboarding nude with his girlfriend at the time, pop star Katy Perry.
Related: PHOTOS: Orlando Bloom Joins The Coveted Club Of Male Celebs With Jaw-Dropping Pic Leaks
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“Yes, it was extremely surprising,” he says, when asked if the ferocious amount of attention to the pics was unexpected. “I wouldn’t have put myself in that position if I’d thought it would happen.”
So, even off the coast of Sardinia, why did he think he’d be safe from the paparazzi’s unwaveringly obnoxious, invasive eye?
Related: Everyone still has an opinion on THOSE Orlando Bloom pics, even Boy George
“I’ve been photographed a million times in a million ways,” he says. “I have a good radar. We’d been completely alone for five days. Nothing around us. There was no way anyone could get anything. So I had a moment of feeling free.”
Does he think there would have been outrage if it had been a woman exposed like that? Was this a case of double standards?
Related: Does something seem off about this picture of Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry?
“I didn’t take it that deep, darlin’,” he responds. “What can I tell you. Note to self: you’re never free. Ha!”
Elsewhere, he talks about his breakup with Perry, and says it was amicable:
“We’re friends. It’s good. We’re all grown-up. She happens to be someone who is very visible, but I don’t think anybody cares what I’m up to. Nor should they. It’s between us. It’s better to set an example for kids and show that [break-ups] don’t have to be about hate.”
Edwin Baca
I think the US is a little more of a prude when it comes to nudity. Europe is more free with showing off the body. If you fell comfortable being nude go for it.
okbye
Definitely. You can show someone’s head exploding on prime time tv but a penis? No way.
Sluggo2007
You can blame the religious imbeciles for that.
william_mcrae
Perhaps the previous five days you weren’t doing anything noteworthy until you took that trip on the open waters completely nude.
What makes your story a little difficult to believe is that Katy Perry was wearing her bathing outfit and you had nothing on. If you were both naked then “maybe” your version of events would have more credibility to it.
But I’m calling BS here. Seth Rogen was asked about this and he thinks it was a publicity stunt and I happen to think that as well. If it wasn’t, then apologies. But since it’s taken eight months for you to respond, I’m guessing you weren’t all that fussed or angered about the attention you got during the interim huh.
Sluggo2007
It was DEFINITELY a publicity stunt. Unfortunately, for him, it did nothing to advance his long dead career.
Jere
Well…no…the very point he makes in this interview is that he wasn’t “all that fussed or angered” about the pictures. And I’m not sure what to make of the idea that his explanation is difficult to believe because Perry was wearing her swimsuit. He was comfortable being nude, but she wasn’t. Is that so hard to believe? He’s European, where people are generally more mature about this stuff, and she’s not only American, but was raised in a fundamentalist home, where she was probably taught that nudity was shameful. Childhood lessons learned die hard, even when you’ve broken from your restrictive background.
okbye
I couldn’t find the “like” button so here it is. LIKE I think you are spot on.
We aren’t allowed to be nude in public in the US, especially women. I didn’t think it was odd at all that she had a suit on. Besides, if someone came along all he’d have to do is sit down and you couldn’t see anything. She has boobs to think of.
captainburrito
He’s British and we are not as mature about it as that. I think it is just him.
william_mcrae
@Jere – All the more reason this makes me think that this was a publicity stunt due to the lack of anger from Bloom or the fact that it’s taken this long to get a response from him.
If he felt his privacy was breached or that he would be adversely affected from this he would have made it known by now.
Bloom has had a successful career largely due to the fact that his top grossing films have been ensemble efforts (“Lord of The Rings”, “The Hobbit”, “Pirates of The Carribean”) etc. On his own as a leading man, his movies have been much less successful.
What better way to drum up publicity for yourself than appearing completely naked especially as your next film is about to drop…….
william_mcrae
@Jere – Oh and by the way, I don’t think there is anything wrong with him being naked (far from it).
Paul
He has no reason to feel shame. Every man has a penis. So now we’ve seen his. Move on.
DuMaurier
Well, more or less. But not completely. I certainly have all the photos tucked safely away in a Bloom folder.
batesmotel
Orlando is obviously more comfortable naked than Katy Perry is. There are other ways to do a publicity stunt if that was his intention. He is not someone who is interested in publicity or press or that kind of attention.
AtlasRich
It pisses me off that some ass lacks the discretion to keep his photos to himself. Why can’t a guy go out naked with his partner in a secluded area without it becoming a public scandal? I love to be nude and if someone takes my photo I guess I’m OK with that but DON’T broadcast it all over and make money on it!I doubt it was a publicity stunt but just some enjoyment of nature and nudism.
He BGB
If she didn’t mind and it didn’t bother her then fine. I don’t think she gave a sh**. Great publicity. We are still talking about this 8 months later and probably next year and in 2020.
Jack Meoff
I’m going with PR stunt in this one. He looked kind of half aroused in those pics so a can’t help but feel tat a little preparation had gone into the shoot so as not to appear to fall short if you know what I mean.
Donston
I’ve learned to be completely cynical about these things over the years. He could be telling the truth. But perfectly HD shots, a semi in cold water, Katy’s non nudity, both perfectly groomed- it all comes as some staged nonsense.
They were some hot pics though. I just wish I had the hard-on for Orlando as many others do.
arcoarconcio_passivy
It´s beautifly photo it´s you super sex it´s sex dote big love big ! Reprise new the it´s photto post point good sex the sex it´s ! Our my life wife dote sex it´s dote big he OrlaBlommmway.
DuMaurier
Okay, dude, calm down. Very nice pics but nothing to go all incoherent about.
gary69mike
Being a good Paparazzi is like being a good hunter… stalk your prey and wait for the absolute best shot. Duh! Why would that hurt his career, if anything it’s going to help, “he’s got a big dick?… hire him!!!!” Poor Katy, she new better than to take it all off. Love her, but I’m sure she’s got a few body issues and she’d be going through, if not worse, what Gaga went through for just showing her midriff during the superbowl.
Chris
I prefer to think about it as “he’s being adult about the whole thing.” I know that’s a difficult concept for some people to grock.
jesusbangedmybootie
I think that more male actors should attempt to drum up publicity in this way. I don’t understand why people are ok with very not accidental shots of them outside restaurants (several Hollywood restaurants have a camera guy sitting outside all day – that’s not an accident)
I think instead if a male actor or singer wants me to see his movie, the least he can do is show me his junk.