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Karl Lagerfeld turns down role in Zoolander 2

The legendary designer explains why he won't appear on the sequel of fashion's favourite comedy

Linda Sharkey
Friday 10 April 2015 14:04 EDT
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(AFP PHOTO CELINE MIHALACHI)

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Karl Lagerfeld has admitted he turned down a role in the upcoming fashion comedy Zoolander 2 because he detested the stunt at the Valentino show and he simply, isn’t an actor.

The 81-years-old legendary designer of Chanel and Fendi has his fair share of celebrity muses and pals, but Hollywood’s Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson (aka Derek and Hansel) don’t seem to rank among them.

“I didn't like it [the stunt],” he added. But this time, his opinion is unlikely to affect the duo behind Valentino, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, or Anna Wintour, who helped organised it. Despite criticism, it was one of the most talked-about moments of the latest Paris Fashion Week.

Lagerfeld, although is believed to have done a sly cameo in Zoolander (appearing in the 2001 movie’s opening scene) alongside designers Tom Ford and Donatella Versace, 14 years later he refuses to appear in the sequel.

“I’m not an actor,” he told Hello! magazine. “They wanted me to be in the movie,” he admitted. But then added: “I don’t want to be in the movie.”

Last month Karlie Kloss was the first model to be confirmed for the sequel of fashion’s favourite film, where she’s set to make her acting debut.

Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller on Zoolander (2001)
Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller on Zoolander (2001)
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson on the Valentino catwalk during Paris Fashion Week
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson on the Valentino catwalk during Paris Fashion Week (REX)

While the rest of the cast, including fellow models and designers, are yet confirmed, at least we can now count Lagerfeld out of the list.

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