Chris Noth's Casual Outing Sparks Attention After Controversial Remarks
The actor Chris Noth, best known for his role as Mr. Big in the iconic series Sex and the City, was spotted looking notably dishevelled during a lunch meeting in Los Angeles this week. This appearance comes just days after the 71-year-old star ignited a significant online controversy with a thinly-veiled dig directed at his former co-star, Sarah Jessica Parker.
A Bizarre Social Media Exchange Fuels Frenzy
Last week, Noth shared a gym photograph on his Instagram account with a caption that read, 'F&@k New Years - LET'S GO!' When a fan commented, 'You mean f**k Sarah Jessica Parker and her award right? Lol,' Noth responded simply with, 'Right.' This exchange occurred shortly after Parker, 60, was honoured with the prestigious Carol Burnett Award ahead of the Golden Globes ceremony.
In her acceptance speech, Parker expressed gratitude for working with what she described as 'the most glorious ensemble of women and actors' over the past 25 years of the Sex and the City franchise. Noth's public dismissal of her accolade sent shockwaves across social media platforms, leaving fans bewildered and prompting widespread discussion.
Noth Attempts to Downplay the Controversy
Following the viral reaction, Chris Noth broke his silence on Wednesday with a statement posted to Instagram. He described his comment as 'slightly sarcastic' and insisted that the ensuing frenzy was 'a waste of time.' In his message, accompanied by a headshot, he wrote, 'My off the cuff slightly sarcastic response to a comment on the internet seems to have caused a tempest in a teapot. It is not news. It is not worth all this discussion. It is a waste of time in a world where there are more important things to worry about.'
Dishevelled Appearance in Los Angeles
Just days after this online storm, Noth was photographed meeting a friend for lunch in Los Angeles on Tuesday, presenting a notably casual and unkempt appearance. He wore an ill-fitting, ratty black T-shirt paired with faded black sweatpants that featured odd-looking stains across the front. His footwear consisted of a pair of grey and yellow Brooks running shoes.
The actor showcased a grizzled scruff on his face, and his grey locks appeared dishevelled, contributing to an overall look that contrasted sharply with his typically polished on-screen persona. This outing has further fueled media attention surrounding his recent behaviour and public statements.
Background of Professional Fallout and Allegations
Chris Noth was effectively removed from the Sex and the City universe in 2021 following sexual misconduct allegations that emerged publicly. Two anonymous women came forward to The Hollywood Reporter, claiming the actor had sexually assaulted them in separate incidents in 2004 and 2015. Noth has vehemently denied these claims, stating they were 'categorically false' and describing the encounters as consensual.
The fallout was swift and severe. Noth was dropped by his agency, A3 Artists Agency, and his character was killed off in the first episode of the revival series, And Just Like That.... Producers also removed all of his flashback scenes that had been shot prior to the scandal breaking. In a joint statement at the time, Sarah Jessica Parker and her co-stars Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis expressed support for the women who came forward, stating, 'We support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences. We know it must be a very difficult thing to do and we commend them for it.'
Current Projects and Ongoing Tensions
Since the allegations, Noth has not starred in any major television shows or films. He did secure a role in Craig Singer's thriller comedy The Block, alongside Jackie Earle Haley and Elias Koteas, playing a horror fiction writer overcoming writer's block. However, the film's release date remains unconfirmed after being postponed from last autumn.
In a recent appearance on Today, Sarah Jessica Parker discussed the end of the And Just Like That... reboot without mentioning Noth's recent dig. She reflected on her time with the franchise, saying, 'I'm not certain I'm actually capable of making sense of it, only because it feels recent that we decided to stop doing it and I think I've been very comfortable just sort of ignoring the realities of not being with those people, that crew, that cast, that woman, those streets of New York.'
The ongoing tension between Noth and Parker adds another layer to the complex legacy of the Sex and the City franchise, which continues to captivate audiences and generate headlines decades after its initial success.
