Mel Gibson has issued an apology for his behavior during a public event amid mounting backlash. During his recent appearance at Fan Expo Canada, Gibson mocked an ASL interpreter as he walked onto the stage for his retrospective Q&A. The video quickly went viral online. Users called out Gibson for his insensitive behaviour, for which Gibson has since issued an apology.
The moment, as caught on camera, saw Mel Gibson enter the spotlight on stage and begin making gibberish symbols with his hands, with the ASL interpreter standing right in front of him, with his back to her. The moment was brief, but fans found it to be in poor taste anyway.
Regarding the moment, Gibson said, “Sometimes when you get pushed out on a stage in a spotlight, your mind is all over the place, and sometimes spontaneous thoughtless idiocy is displayed. There was no intended maliciousness attached, and I certainly apologize to anyone who was upset by it.”
FanExpo Canada draws fans for celebrity appearances and photo opportunities
FanExpo Canada is an annual event that is a hub for pop culture media enthusiasts. Be it films, shows, anime, gaming, or celebrities, the Expo serves as the biggest event of its kind in Canada, and the third biggest in the continent of North America. The event draws celebs and fans alike, allowing the latter to attend signings and photo opportunities.
The organizers of the event have not issued a statement regarding Mel Gibson’s actions. However, fans were quick to contrast his behaviour with that of Reacher star Alan Ritchson, who shook hands with the ASL interpreter once his QnA session concluded. Other celebrities that graced the event included nerd culture legends like Mark Hamill, wrestler-turned-actor John Cena, and Mr. T.
The event invites attendees to interact with creatives in their desired field of media, with merch stores and cosplayers drawing massive crowds of children and adults alike.
