Nick Grimshaw thinks Angelina Jolie is ‘cold’ and ‘lying to the nation’

Nick Grimshaw seen leaving BBC Radio One Studios after stepping down from his BBC Breakfast show - London

Nick Grimshaw is, to me, a giant “WHO?” Because I read the British sites, I know he’s a famous person in Britain… and I would assume he’s not famous anywhere else? Like, do people in Croatia know what a Nick Grimshaw is? Doubtful. So who he is? He’s a television and radio personality type, with his own popular show on the BBC Radio 1, plus he was a judge for one season on The X Factor. My vibe is sort of like… maybe he’s a wannabe Ryan Seacrest, only without all of the business entanglements. He’s mostly about music, but he’s interviewed a lot of movie stars and celebrities in recent years. And he has some thoughts about some of them.

He has been swapped with Greg James as the host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show – and will begin presenting ‘drive time’ in the autumn. And Nick Grimshaw has taken the opportunity to unleash his candid opinions of celebrities he has interviewed over his six year morning show tenure – namely targeting Hollywood A-listers Angelina Jolie and Will Smith.

In the weekend’s Sunday Times magazine, the 33-year-old presenter branded Will Smith as ‘fake and patronising’. He said: ‘He was high-fiving the receptionist and saying, “You’re the best receptionist ever.” High-fiving the phone person and saying, “You’d better answer those phones!” which I thought was a tad patronising. Coming into an office and saying, “Wow, you answer phones!” It seemed a bit self-aware, like, “I’m really famous and you’re really excited that I’ve acknowledged you.”

He then branded actress Angelina Jolie ‘cold’, elaborating: ‘Everyone who comes in to see me is nice because they’re on air, and I think , “Oh they’re lovely”. But then my producers will meet the real them, before they’re on air, before they’re lying to the nation, and tell me about their demands.’

He had nothing but praise for Kim Kardashian, however, branding her as ‘sweet’ and ‘not trying to be nice’.

[From The Daily Mail]

“…Before they’re on air, before they’re lying to the nation…” Is Angelina the prime minister of Britain or something? I would assume that Angelina granted an interview to Grimshaw as part of some promotional tour for a film at some point, so it was probably part of her junket and she probably had like twenty interviews to do that day. But sure, she’s “cold.” And how dare she have “demands.” I wonder what those demands were? “Can I have a glass of water?” Or “Can we not talk about Jennifer Aniston?” Now all that being said, I’m guessing that Angelina can be the iciest bitch in the world when she has no desire to “turn on the charm.” But if she’s just in the middle of a junket, being professional and doing interviews? Eh.

As for what he says about Will Smith… I don’t really understand that criticism either. If Will had been “cold” to the receptionist, Grimshaw would have been critical of that too.

St Michael St George sevice

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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69 Responses to “Nick Grimshaw thinks Angelina Jolie is ‘cold’ and ‘lying to the nation’”

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  1. minx says:

    Never heard of him.
    And good for Angelina if she felt like being “cold.” Women always are expected to be warm and nurturing even if we don’t feel like it.

    • crogirl says:

      Never heard of him either.

      And yes Kaiser, he is definitely not famous in Croatia. LOL

      • formerly known as Amy says:

        If he is trying to say that angelina is a boss ass bitch who has not time for fuckboys, i think we already know.

    • bonobochick says:

      She probably didn’t smile enough for him.

      • Mattie says:

        Don’t you have that!!! I had to scold some women on Facebook saying that the nurse on My 600Pound Life who opens the door to the patients should smile more and stop being a Debbie Downer

      • Mira belle says:

        I turned down a lucrative next-step-up-the-career path job b/c the guy interviewing said I needed to smile more. I was just intently listening to him. A$$hole. It wasn’t even that, that took me straight to “no way” land. The principal of the company, a woman, was also interviewing me. He put his hand on her arm 2-3x during the interview to interrupt her.

    • JAC says:

      I expect people to be pleasant at all times, unless someine is rude to them. Man or woman.

      As for being cold, she doesn’t habe to ne warm. But she is a celebrity, and being “on” at virtually all times comes with the territory.

      • Otaku Fairy... says:

        You can expect it, but it’s not realistic. Few people are welcoming, patient, upbeat social butterflies 100% of the time- even really nice or good people. And that’s okay. Sometimes people are going to be distant. People need to be able to handle those normal shifts from women they don’t know without taking it as confirmation that someone is just a straight-up bitch, snob, etc.

      • JAC says:

        I din’t expect them to be upbeat or social butterflies. You have to be polite and kind. That’s it.

    • Cleo2 says:

      This reminds me of when Angelina went to the Golden Globes with Brad for the first time, she looked ethereal and stunning, gave off fragile and subdued vibes that dumb Seacrest took as standoffishness or coldness or whatever. It waa rumored he and a pal even got Us Weekly to do a slam job on her that week for her demeanor….

      Of course within days we all find out that her Mom who suffered with ovarian cancer for almost decade…was dying. Her passing was imminent.

      • Cali says:

        YES, I still remember that and fume about it. Even the “fashion police” were talking about her not smiling and being icy… I don’t remember any apologies though for such harsh judgment.

    • CashewCrust says:

      “Women always are expected to be warm and nurturing even if we don’t feel like it. ”

      Check the comments on DM and other gossip sites whenever there’s a Posh Beckham story. It’s all, “She’s so grumpy.” Then you get someone like Daniel Craig or Ethan Hawke and they’re just masculine. Carey Mulligan talked about how women characters are expected to be likeable or the producers or something start getting worried.

  2. Clare says:

    Lol he’s hardly that famous here either. Yes he has a morning radio show on bbc radio, but that’s about it. I doubt most Brits would be able to see his picture and identify him straight away. His claim to fame is he’s friends with famous people – Kate Moss, Harry Styles, etc. He’s also known for being really far up how own arse.

  3. Jessica says:

    Angelina has received this criticism before but not sure how credible this guy is.

    I don’t understand his comments about Will.

    • Erinn says:

      If Will acted the way he’s describing – that DOES come off as condescending to me. It’s patronizing. There’s a difference between taking a second to say hi to the people in the office and being so over the top about them doing the basic duties of their jobs that comes off as so so arrogant. If he came in to my office and started talking to me like that I’d be less than impressed FOR SURE. As if he’s single handedly making my life by deigning to speak to the little people.

      • LT says:

        I totally agree – I completely understand what he’s saying about Will Smith and I have seen it many times in real life. It’s very much “I’m going to pretend we are equals because I’m acknowledging you, but in a way that reinforces just how equal we are NOT.” It’s comoletely insincere.

      • spargel says:

        Yeah, I get this, too. I’ve witnessed this crap even from “big” CEOs talking to “mere” receptionists. It’s transparent and grating.

    • Mara says:

      This might be more of a British thing – to be wary of people who are sunshine and positivity. I don’t think we’re that used to it (other Brits just yell at me if you think, I’m wrong).
      Weirdly I am much happier being served by a grumpy shop assistant than one who is happier and constantly smiling because I feel they’re being more honest.
      But that should mean he is more comfortable with Jolie who appears to be acting like herself whilst still behaving professionally.

      • spidey!!! says:

        Well I prefer a happy medium myself

      • aenflex says:

        This is exactly how it is in New England. Born and raised there, moved to the south for 16 years, and now living in actual England. Feels like being home.

  4. Kate says:

    So one person was too much of a people pleaser and one person was not enough of a people pleaser. Good to know *eyeroll*

  5. Maya says:

    If we smile, we are using our female skills to charm men and if we don’t smile, we are cold and rude.

    Women just cannot win in this world….

    This is not liked in UK so he is just trying to gain some publicity by attacking celebs.

  6. B says:

    He’s more of a socialite and celebrity hanger-on.

  7. JAC says:

    What’s wrong with him stating his view of them?

    • becoo says:

      Agreed. This is a celebrity gossip site, after all. Most of us have made judgments about a celebrity with even less to go on about the person. If it were me, I wouldn’t want to make such a remark about a person as publicly as he did. But in any case, I’m sure AJ has heard it all and couldn’t care less.

    • Wisca says:

      What’s wrong with stating our views of him?

  8. Medusa says:

    I’m not really sure what he expected. People always act differently in work situations, especially with people they don’t know. As long as they’re professional, and it sounds like both Smith and Jolie were, you need to get over yourself. Whining over nothing.

  9. Incredulous says:

    He couldn’t give out about someone who actually is reprehensible off camera? There’s a few to choose from.

  10. Snappyfish says:

    She looks so beautiful in that suit.

  11. Pia says:

    He’s not that famous he just hangs with famous people.
    Sounds like Angie didn’t want to be his friend maybe that means cold… And I really don’t understand his problem with will smith? He’s criticism for Angie is that she’s cold and will is too much of a people pleaser? No pleasing him then.
    That said this guy comes off as bitchy and immature he was shading some 1D members think it was zayn or lois because he’s friends with Harry and he’s like 30 so I wouldn’t really use him as a credible witness.

    • Erinn says:

      “Sounds like Angie didn’t want to be his friend maybe that means cold”

      I wouldn’t go with that assumption. ‘Everyone who comes in to see me is nice because they’re on air, and I think , “Oh they’re lovely”. But then my producers will meet the real them, before they’re on air, before they’re lying to the nation, and tell me about their demands.’

      It sounds like he’s saying she was lovely with him – but different with some of his staff.

  12. Veronica S. says:

    He looks like the kind of guy who tells women to smile in public, eh?

  13. Tiffany says:

    So it reads like Nick was upset that Will was enthusiastic with the receptionist and not him, who I am sure Nick thinks is so low down the food chain that he probably doesn’t even know their name. So Will was being pleasant to a person that is more than likely ignored by celebrities and Nick had a issue with that.

    Nick is the issue. Yes, yes he is.

  14. Chisey says:

    I mean, I can understand the criticism of Will Smith. If some celebrity came to my office and acted super pumped about the mundane stuff I do, I’d think they were low key making fun of me.

    As far as Jolie being cold, meh. I think a celebrity should be polite to everyone involved in the show, but I don’t think they’re obliged to be warm or friendly. Maybe I feel this way because I’m an introvert, but I think if being personable is your job and it’s tiring then it’s fine to only turn it on when necessary.

  15. SM says:

    Well, with those contradicting statements about Will and Angelina he achieved the thing he has set out to archieve – turn himself into news rather than interviewing other people.

  16. Aerohead21 says:

    Yeah, he lost credibility to me with the Will Smith comment. After that all I could ascertain was that he was being snarky for attention. Will Smith being nice to a receptionist? If I were that receptionist I’d be thrilled to death to not be ignored by someone thinking they are better than me.

  17. Madpoe says:

    I totally understood Will’s sense of humor and I wasn’t even there.
    Seriously tho’ who is this guy Nick or rather who cares?

  18. ocjulia says:

    Ha. He probably thinks AJ is “cold” because he tried to flirt with her and it was not reciprocated.

    • Red says:

      Well first Nick is openly gay, so I doubt he tried to flirt with her. And anyway he said she was lovely to him, but not so nice off the air to his producers.

      • Otaku Fairy... says:

        The fact that she might not have been warm and social with them doesn’t mean it was a personal jab at their position. Sorry, but this doesn’t make her an evil snobby mean girl or whatever else some are hoping for. It makes her human. Are you always in the mood to chat when you’re trying to get in and out of a store or while on a plane?

      • ocjulia says:

        Just because he’s gay doesn’t mean he didn’t try to charm her.

      • Red says:

        @Otaku Fairy ???? This is not what I said. Or what Nick said for that matter. Also, she wasn’t at the store or waiting for a plane, she was at work. And yes, even when I’m cranky af, I still have to be polite to my clients. I don’t think she’s evil because of this. But this is a gossip site, and I enjoy reading about celebs even if you don’t like the content or source.

      • Jessica says:

        Nick’s criticism of Angelina is that she was ‘demanding’ to his producers and possibly a bit curt but was very lovely to him. I wasn’t there but he clearly wasn’t pleased with how she treated his producers who are behind the scenes.

    • CashewCrust says:

      I don’t blame any of these celebs for putting up a wall when off duty. Must be exhausting to be have to be nice to everyone and be judged 360 degrees, plus have the judgment of the whole world all the time. Cold is not rude or arrogant or condescending. Maybe she just wasn’t feeling social. And I’m not even close to being a fan of her.

  19. Shannon says:

    “Lying to the nation” seems pretty fkn overdramatic. I mean, when I’m at work I smile at customers and bosses and coworkers whether I feel like smiling or not. When I’m at work, that’s when I’m ‘on’ and I could honestly be in a great mood or I could honestly be in a sh!tty mood and secretly thinking ‘if you change your order one more flipping time I will go blind.’ Does that mean I’m ‘lying’ to everyone where I work? Not really; it means I’m acting like a professional doing a job, which is exactly what Angelina was doing. This guy sounds like a tool.

  20. DragonWise says:

    Sounds like Will Smith acts exactly as one would expect, and so does Angelia. What a strange and unwise set of statements to make by someone who claims to be an interviewer! It will be interesting to see if his upcoming roster is effected. Celebrities don’t like being personally attacked!

  21. Queenb says:

    Has there ever be a radio dude who wasnt a complete douche? The tv guys are bad but radio dudes… I mean they are just tv dudes with a face for radio.

  22. ladida says:

    Sounds like Will Smith was nice to the receptionist and actually acknowledged her, which is something most normal people fail to do let alone movie stars. As for AJ, people as famous as her are CONSTANTLY being solicited. They develop an icy exterior to shield themselves from the constant onslaught and separate their lives between public and private. By all accounts, AJ is professional and courteous. I doubt his show will last long if he sells out his guests.

  23. Interested party says:

    Aren’t we all presenting a face to the world of civility and charm which may not be who we are every minute. I have a bitchy side that I don’t break out at work or parties because it is uncivilized. When it does creep out in public I will apologize. Sorry. I’m really cranky today. Woke up that way. Angelina is human and allowed to have moods. As far as Will is concerned, don’t you dare come for will you ignorant ass. A deaf and blind man can feel his warmth. He’s just full of great energy and you are bitter.

  24. Lisa Giametti says:

    Now if he said Brad Pitt was an asshole, everyone would be singing his praises.

    People are entitled to their opinions. Not everyone thinks or feels the same.

  25. Paisley says:

    Hmmmm…would have to be there and judge for myself.

  26. grumpy says:

    The guy’s a smarmy idiot and not really famous but I think you have to take this with a pinch of salt. I’d be very surprised if “lying to the nation” bit is not just tongue in cheek exaggeration which doesn’t translate very well to the written word.

  27. Salanta says:

    Aww, I love Nick. He’s actually very nice, and truly a good person from what I can tell.

    I remember the Angelina Jolie thing, it was their worst interview in five years… It’s a very jokey show, very relaxed, no hard-hitting questions… And she just didn’t roll with it at all, remained very serious, and it was verrrry awkward. I’m not surprised he singled out that interaction…

    As for the Will Smith comment… In the past, Nick didn’t seem to like Mika, and I always got the feeling that it was because he was annoyed by gay men who weren’t out? That was prior to Mika’s coming out, of course. Anyway, that might have to do with him being bothered by Will Smith’s fakeness…

    • Salanta says:

      Oh, and the Croatia comment is a bit petty: Ryan Seacrest and Howard Stern aren’t famous in Croatia either! Hell, talk to any random person who isn’t specifically obsessed with English-speaking cultures and consuming all their media in English, anywhere in non English-speaking Europe, and you’ll see they have no idea who Oprah or Ellen are either… And those are infinitely bigger names than Grimshaw!

      • crogirl says:

        Well, Kaiser probably meant that this guy is only famous in his country. And you are right, so are Ryan Seacrest and Howard Stern.
        And it has nothing to do with english speaking countries, I’m not crazy about Oprah but she’s famous almost everywhere.

      • Salanta says:

        Is she really? Would your parents and grandparents know who she is? I’m in France, and other than people who have traveled, no one has any idea who any of the best known English-speaking TV hosts and comedians are! Their work doesn’t travel like actors’…

        … or, maybe it does, if you’re in a place where there’s a culture of subtitling instead of dubbing, I guess? Is that the case in Croatia, and do you then import talk-shows and stand-up in the same way we do movies and scripted tv? I had never thought of that…

      • crogirl says:

        “… or, maybe it does, if you’re in a place where there’s a culture of subtitling instead of dubbing”

        Yes, fortunately that is the case in Croatia, only cartoons are dubbed.
        We import some talk-shows, I caught Graham Norton the other night but I don’t watch a lot of tv so I can’t tell you which ones at the moment. When we were teens my sister loved to watch Arsenio Hall. Oprah show aired for years, I am 39, my mother is 71, my late grandma used to watch it all the time. Honestly I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t know who Oprah is.

        There are a lot of American comics and tv hosts that I didn’t know about until I started reading gossip blogs about 13 years ago. For example Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Chris Rock etc. I did know about Leno, Letterman and Ellen because they were often mentioned in magazines.
        There are tons of people only popular in north america. American football stars are not popular here either, none of my friends know who Tom Brady is.

      • Salanta says:

        Interesting. 🙂

  28. JoJo says:

    I think that’s Will Smith’s personality he is always praising or complimenting people. My cousin met him at a hotel and he said Will was “gassing up” the hotel staff saying how awesome they were.One bellhop did a rap for him and Will acted like the guy was Jay Z or Eminem.☺
    As for AJ she is not overly friendly so to some people she is cold or aloof.

  29. Helen Smith says:

    Just say hello to the receptionist.

  30. CashewCrust says:

    I think when she supposedly snubbed Lainey’s journalist friend at the FTKMF event was perhaps an example.

  31. magnoliarose says:

    This is has been thrown out about her before. My take is that she isn’t chatty and likes to be left alone. She has said she is shy and somewhat of an introvert. What part of AJ has ever seemed like she was all in for some schmoozing? She isn’t a comedic actress for a reason. So I just shrug at this.
    As for Will Smith. His OTT isn’t for everyone.

  32. I’m literally sitting here in the UK and barely know who the guy is. Yeah, I hear his name every once and again. I could not pick him out of a lineup, and not only because he looks like a 60 year-old record producer in the throes of a midlife crisis. What is he, like 30? Dude.