Bradley Cooper slammed over “insane” Leonard Bernstein interview

Bradley Cooper dedicated himself to playing Leonard Bernstein in 2023’s Maestro, and this interview has some fans wondering if he grew a little too attached to the real-life figure.

When Bradley Cooper announced that he was to be playing the legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein in 2023’s Maestro, it left a few fans scratching their heads. But even with the controversies surrounding the biopic, many were willing to give him a chance.

It’s no secret that fans have found Cooper’s performance and subsequent awards campaign to be fuel for teasing, but an interview currently circulating social media has upped the ante.

In fact, when it comes to Cooper’s intense connection to Bernstein, fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

Bradley Cooper teased by internet after “insane” interview

A clip of a Bradley Cooper interview has gone viral on TikTok and X, which shows the actor becoming extremely emotional over how much he “misses” Leonard Bernstein.

The interview takes place with Leonard Bernstein’s real-life children, who ask Cooper if he misses his on-screen alter ego. At the question, Cooper becomes visibly upset.

“It’s hard to talk about,” he tells the Bernstein children. “We shared something very special.”

The clip cuts back and forth between Cooper and Bernstein’s children, who watch the actor tear up while talking about their late father. The caption for the video definitively states: “Bradley Cooper has never met [Leonard Bernstein],” which has caused the internet to respond with complete confusion over his response.

“Just so everyone understands, Leonard Bernstein died in 1990,” one TikTok comment said. Another wrote: “That’s actually an insane thing to say.”

Over on X, the bullying wasn’t much better. The idea of him experiencing such an emotional response in front of Bernstein’s actual children (and having that response when he never even met Bernstein) has baffled many.

“Doing that in front of his kids is CRAZY,” one comment read.

“Bro this is insane,” one X user agreed, while another said: “‘Bradley Cooper never met him’ I’m f*cking crying.”

“If we give him an Oscar will he stop doing this kind of thing?” another comment asked.

Another said: “We’re witnessing a parasocial relationship in real time.”

“[Saying] ‘we shared something very special’ about a man you’ve never met is crazy. I’m going to start saying about that every celebrity I like,” said another.

Let’s face it — it wouldn’t be the first time an actor has become extremely attached to a character, real-life or otherwise. While Bradley Cooper’s response is difficult for non-actors to comprehend, it’s not unusual in the grand scheme of Hollywood.