Julia Roberts talks about The Smiths and Morrissey. In the interview, she explains why you should learn to understand art despite problematic artists.
Julia Roberts likes the Smiths, even if she finds her singer Morrissey problematic. Despite criticism, you have to deal with the music.
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The reason for the statement is Luca Guadagnino’s new film “After the Hunt”, in which Roberts plays a philosophy professor at Yale University. In a scene, a song by The Smiths runs in a university bar. Protagonist Kim, played by Chloë Sevigny, is surprised that Morrissey can be heard on a campus, although he is controversial among liberals because of the allegations of racism. Roberts’ figure Imhoff replies that it is not a solo piece by Morrissey, but a song by his former band The Smiths, “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”.
She asks: “If you don’t know what you are shielded from – how can you know better?”
Roberts now speaks about the scene in an interview with the “Times of London”. Even if Morrissey is problematic, people should still deal with the music of the Smiths. “I love The Smiths,” says Roberts when asked about the separation of art and artists and the Cancel culture.
When asked whether it would be better to simply throw away the albums of the Smiths, she replies: “If we do this, we cheat on ourselves for a comprehensive understanding. If you don’t know what you are shielded from – how can you know better how can you act better, create a little better?”
Julia Roberts: “We need nuances”
Julia Roberts continues: “Some things are big, terrible, ugly. And we all agree: yes, that was bad. Let’s do it again. But then there are also moments when you think: Who says that you should put it in a barrel and light?”
The Smiths and Morrissey: Why the band will never be available again and the allegations against the singer
More about the background: The Smiths dissolved in 1987, the members subsequently disputed. Bassist Andy Rourke died in 2023. A reunion did not come about because guitarist Johnny Marr refused.
Morrissey has noticed in recent years through controversial legal political statements. Among other things, he described Hitler as “left” and claimed that allegations of racism “left -wing spinners” were only a diversion maneuver.
“After the Hunt”: action and start date
“After the Hunt” is a thriller by Luca Guadagnino. Julia Roberts plays a college professor who is privately and professionally on a crossroads. Andrew Garfield can be seen in the role of her colleague, who is accused of rape a student. The film starts on October 16, 2025 in German and American cinemas.