James Franco Called Out After Golden Globes Win for Once Hitting on a Teen on Instagram

Twitter users recall actor’s attempt to seduce underage girl in 2014

James Franco Dave Franco
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

James Franco was clearly psyched to win a Golden Globe award on Sunday. But the honor really ticked off some people Twitter, along with “Breakfast Club” star Ally Sheedy.

Franco sported one of the evening’s popular Time’s Up pins — supporting the awards show’s anti-sexual-misconduct movement — while accepting his Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in “The Disaster Artist.” But many viewers, were quick to recall the story of Franco’s attempts to pick up a 17-year-old girl via Instagram in 2014 — a move they found to be in stark contrast to the message on the actor’s lapel.

Franco contacted the underage girl through Instagram after meeting her outside his Broadway show Of Mice and Men in 2014. It was widely reported that Franco offered to rent a room to hang out with the “almost” 18-year-old, who went on to publish their correspondence online.

The actor later went on “Live With Kelly and Michael,” saying he was “embarrassed” after admitting to contacting her, saying that “social media is tricky.” “I used bad judgment,” Franco said.

Sheedy brought up a personal story instead, writing, “James Franco just won. Please never ask me why I left the film/TV business,” the actress wrote in a series of tweets that have since been deleted. Franco directed Sheedy in an Off Broadway production of “The Long Shrift.”

Representatives for Franco and Sheedy did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

See tweets in response to Franco’s win below.

https://twitter.com/annehelen/status/950154660144279552

https://twitter.com/JessicaValenti/status/950188098855538688

https://twitter.com/VioletPaley/status/950252181965410304

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