John Waters refuses to hire actors who use the word "journey"
The 'Pink Flamingos' director, 78, renowned for gross-out scenes in his transgressive arthouse work, says he hates the phrase as it is "overused" by privileged stars - and he only thinks people fleeing war zones have the right to use it
26 June 2024
He told People when asked if he would ever adapt anyone else's book into a film: "Never. I have never even read a script that I didn't write. The fun of it for me, if there's ever fun, is thinking it up.
"I wouldn't know how to direct somebody else's stuff. I'm a writer. Once I think it up - 'Oh, now I have to do it'.
"A lot of it to me is writing the script. Then, I've played all the characters in my mind for a year before we even get there.
"Whoever gets the parts, the stars, don't ever have to read. They just, if they ever use the word 'journey', I never hire them.
"I hate that word. It's so overused, especially in LA. You're not on a journey. "People that are escaping Ukraine are on a journey, not winning the (Independent) Spirit Award."
John added when he looks back on his career and life his biggest regret in life is smoking.
He said: "One regret in my life is smoking cigarettes. It's terrible. I know many of my friends are dying of cancer right now.
"I haven't had a cigarette in 7,782 days - roughly. I write it down every day. But I smoked five packs a day.
"Not always, but long enough. Camel Cools. Oh, even saying that word makes me cough."
And when asked which of his films he thinks he'll be most remember for, the maverick director said: "They're all exactly the same to me. I think my best movie is 'Serial Mom'.
"The best Divine movie is 'Female Trouble'. But 'Pink Flamingos' still caused the most trouble.
"They're all the same to me. They have the same message: 'Mind your own business. What people use against you, turn into a style, and you'll win.'
"Every movie's about that."
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