The two actors belted out Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” during a press tour in Japan, with Mescal admitting, “It was great.”
Paul Mescal and Fred Hechinger shared an unforgettable moment during their ‘Gladiator II’ press tour, and it didn’t involve the epic battles of ancient Rome, but rather a drunken karaoke session.
While promoting the highly anticipated sequel Gladiator II in Japan, Mescal, who stars as Lucius in Ridley Scott’s epic, reflected on an impromptu karaoke night with his costar, Hechinger. Though Mescal had previously proclaimed that he wasn’t a fan of karaoke, he couldn’t resist when the opportunity arose.
“I’ve walked myself into a corner with this because when I was doing press for Aftersun, I was like, ‘I hate karaoke. I hate karaoke,’ but I got roped into doing it, and I enjoyed it,” Mescal told Variety during the Los Angeles premiere of Gladiator II.
The song of choice? Miley Cyrus’ iconic ballad “The Climb.” Mescal, who admitted to being slightly tipsy at the time, joked about his performance. “Of course not. I was drunk. It was great. It’s not about that — it’s about the spirit,” he said with a laugh. When asked if he was a fan of Cyrus, Mescal didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, I mean, who’s not?”
But he wasn’t alone in this karaoke adventure. Hechinger, who plays one of the film’s twin emperors, was also part of the fun. “I partook in that as well,” he said, referencing the duo’s “The Climb” duet. But Hechinger wasn’t done there. His second karaoke pick was Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One,” a nod to his own country music taste. He also humorously added, “I think karaoke is built for people who don’t have voices. I think if you have too good of a voice, it’s embarrassing for you to do karaoke.”
Mescal reflected fondly on the moment, describing it as a “vulnerable” experience, but one that he was glad to have shared. “I’ve got the most incredible people around me, and my friends and my team… it’s been great,” he remarked, noting how an Aiden from Paramount had documented the entire episode.
The Gladiator II press tour is currently in full swing, with the star-studded cast traveling the globe to promote the highly awaited sequel. In Gladiator II, Mescal portrays Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of the late emperor Commodus. Set in ancient Rome, Lucius embarks on a journey that sees him go from seeking vengeance to striving for the glory of the Roman Empire.
The film also stars Pedro Pascal as General Acacius, who captures Lucius and takes him to Rome, where the character faces the complexities of revenge and redemption. Other notable cast members include Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, and Connie Nielsen.
Gladiator II is set for release on November 22, 2024, and it promises to be a dramatic continuation of the Oscar-winning Gladiator franchise.
