Machine Gun Kelly Declined Vampire Role in Sinners Due to a Deplorable Racial Slur
When Hollywood asks for sacrifices, most actors are ready to bleed for a role (sometimes literally, if we’re being honest). But Machine Gun Kelly? He’s not biting, especially when the cost is his principles. The rapper-turned-actor recently revealed that he refused to audition for the vampire-themed Ryan Coogler flick, Sinners, reportedly over a requirement to utter a racial slur during his audition. Now, that’s a plot twist nobody saw coming.
A Vampire Role with a Major Red Flag
For context, MGK was set to audition for a character named Bert in Sinners. Sounds harmless until you learn Bert wasn’t just your classic bloodsucker; he was also, y’know, a KKK member. Yup, a bigoted vampire. Hollywood, your creativity is wild, but maybe tone down the bizarre mashups. The film apparently sought to mix sharp social commentary with literal vampirism, which, okay, that’s ambitious. But according to MGK, the script had a dealbreaker baked in. “He has to say the N-word, and I wouldn’t do it,” MGK shared on The Pat McAfee Show.
Machine Gun Kelly Doesn’t Need Fangs to Make a Statement
Whether or not Sinners ends up as an Oscar darling or a box office flop, MGK’s reason for walking out feels oddly refreshing. For context, Hollywood has never been shy about asking actors to bare their souls (and sometimes more). But when it comes to roles involving controversial elements, most stars weigh the potential backlash against their personal boundaries. Machine Gun Kelly’s decision, at its core, is simple. He doesn’t want to be the guy yelling racial epithets, even in a “fictional” context. Can you blame him?
It’s almost ironic that MGK, often a lightning rod for criticism in his music career, is now throwing aside the typical bad-boy persona to stand firm on something so significant.
What Does This Mean for Hollywood and Sinners?
There’s a lot to unpack here. For one, MGK’s refusal opens the door for broader conversations about how we portray history and sensitive topics on screen. While Sinners clearly aimed to poke at some deep societal wounds, it’s worth asking if there might’ve been a way to convey its message without scripting Bert’s ugly dialogue. Maybe just show him being the awful vampire-Bigot he is without dragging slurs into the mix? Just a thought, Hollywood.
Sure, some actors might’ve gone for it in the name of “challenging audiences” or “immersive character building,” but MGK pulled the plug early.
What’s Next for Machine Gun Kelly? Vampires (but the Cool Kind) Maybe?
Though Sinners wasn’t meant to be for one Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly‘s birth name), his aspiration to jump further into acting remains undeterred. During the McAfee Show, he made it clear he’s game for more film roles, just not at the expense of his moral compass. And honestly? It might not be long before we see him in something epic, perhaps as some rogue vampire hunter who shuns the undead, bigots, or maybe both? Hollywood, that one’s a freebie. Whether you’re a fan of his music or not, you’ve got to respect the guy for knowing where to draw a line in a town known for erasing them.
Final Thoughts
MGK’s decision to bow out of Sinners is not about canceling art or limiting creativity. It’s about maintaining personal boundaries, and honestly, that’s a win for authenticity in an industry that often forgets humanity in favor of clout. Will this blip change the trajectory of his acting career? Maybe. Or maybe it’ll just cement his standing as someone who’s not willing to play by all the rules, a trait his fans seem to love. Either way, we’ll be keeping a close eye on what MGK decides to sink his teeth into next. One thing’s for sure—no slurs allowed.
