MICHAEL JACKSON - BRÜNO RIDES INTO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

BRÜNO RIDES INTO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Launching another publicity stunt that might have gladdened the hearts of old-time Hollywood press agents, Sasha Baron-Cohen as his character Brüno strode onto Sydney, Australia's Market Street Monday dressed in a skimpy version of a British knight's suit of armor, leading a horse outfitted in bondage gear. He was accompanied by an entourage of bikini-clad models, whose bodies were painted silver. Speaking in an Austrian accent, he told reporters ""Ich really hope my movie realizes its full global potential and doesn't peter out after a promising start like swine flu." The Australian Associated Press reported that journalists attending a news conference for Baron-Cohen were "instructed" not to ask questions about the actor's fiancée or about the death of Michael Jackson. (A scene from the film in which Brüno talks to La Toya Jackson about her brother was deleted after Michael's death.) Appearing to counter criticism of his performance by some gay activists, Baron-Cohen (as Brüno) declared "I want to be the gay stereotype. I want to be the gay role model. ... My first words to my mother were 'I'm gay, get over it.'"

30/06/2009