Celebrity2 min(s) read
Catherine Zeta-Jones had blunt two-word response to question about husband Michael Douglas' oral-sex cancer claim
In 2013, Michael Douglas made headlines after publicly attributing his throat cancer to human papillomavirus (HPV), which he claimed was linked to oral sex. The actor's comments sparked widespread controversy, especially after he suggested that oral sex could even serve as a cure for the disease.
While many questioned his medical expertise, the focus shifted to his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was asked for her thoughts on the matter during a Cinema Society screening of her movie Red 2.
When questioned about whether she was mortified by her husband's statements and the subsequent media attention, Zeta-Jones gave a brief but pointed response. She smiled and simply said, "Next question," Page Six reported at the time.
The actress’s reply was clear and direct, signaling that she did not want to engage in the conversation surrounding her husband’s controversial remarks.
Michael Douglas' HPV claims spark backlash
Michael Douglas’ comments during a 2013 interview stirred significant backlash. He stated that his throat cancer was caused by HPV, a sexually transmitted virus, and controversially claimed that oral sex was both the cause and the cure for the cancer.
These remarks were met with skepticism from medical professionals who refuted his statements. Many pointed out that his theory lacked scientific support and was not grounded in medical facts.
Despite the backlash, Douglas later sought to clarify his words, emphasizing that his goal was to raise awareness about HPV and its potential link to certain types of cancer, such as throat and cervical cancer.
"What I was trying to say was that there is a sexually transmitted virus called HPV, but there is a vaccination that they recommend to all kids before they become sexually active," Douglas explained in a later interview. He also expressed regret over the embarrassment his comments caused his wife, adding, "I so regretted any embarrassment that it caused Catherine."
Public reaction and apologies from Douglas
After the controversy surrounding his remarks, Douglas publicly apologized for any distress caused to Zeta-Jones. In his clarification, Douglas acknowledged the importance of proper information about cancer prevention and HPV vaccination.
He stated that he did not intend to mislead the public, but instead aimed to raise awareness of the risks associated with HPV, which is a leading cause of various cancers.
The couple faced considerable public attention during this period, but Zeta-Jones remained largely silent on the issue, except for her short but firm response during the Red 2 premiere.