Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Michelle Rodriguez claims documentary 'exploited' her comments about Paul Walker's death

Rodriguez was filmed talking about her feelings in the year after Walker was killed in car crash 

Heather Saul
Friday 08 April 2016 10:22 EDT
Comments
Michelle Rodriguez and Paul Walker were close friends before his death
Michelle Rodriguez and Paul Walker were close friends before his death (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Michelle Rodriguez has accused a documentary of using her comments out of context after a clip where she described feelings of “jealousy” over the death of her friend Paul Walker emerged.

In an interview for The Reality of Truth, the actress discussed coming to terms with her Fast and Furious co-star passing away before her. Rodriguez was apparently recalling how she had felt after drinking Ayahuasca, which is made from a plant and has psychedelic properties.

In a clip of the film obtained by TMZ, Rodriguez said: “I have to say, you know, when I lost Paul, I went through about a year of just being like an animal. Like, what could I do, physically, to just get my mind off of existentialism? Get my mind off of how transient life is and how we just come here and can just disappear at any moment. How could I get my mind off that? Summer - crazy - nuts.

"I did everything I could possibly do to hide from myself and I'll tell you that my Ayahuasca trip made me sad that he left me here. It wasn't a sadness that he's gone, it's more like a jealousy that he's there first.”

When approached by TMZ on Thursday, the actress expressed regret at the way her comments were presented.

“That's the people from the documentary using things out of context,” she said.

“I had a deep moment and I said something that, you know, that was personal.

“It was exploited and I apologise about that, but if I knew it was being promoted that way I wouldn't have been involved.”

Rodriguez worked with Walker on The Fast and Furious franchise until he was killed in 2013 when the Porsche Carrera GT he was a passenger in hit a pole in California. The driver, his friend Roger Rodas, also died when the vehicle burst into flames. Walker’s teenage daughter Meadow is now the sole heir of his estate.

The Independent has contacted The Reality of Truth for comment

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in