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Julia Roberts has revealed that she still loves listening to The Smiths, even amid ongoing debates over frontman Morrissey’s controversial views.
The Oscar-winning actress opened up about her appreciation for the iconic Manchester band in a new interview with The Sunday Times, ahead of the release of her latest film, After The Hunt.
In the film, a character is seen playing The Smiths’ music, which prompts another character to question the choice given Morrissey’s outspoken political opinions in recent years. The moment sparked curiosity among fans about Roberts’ personal stance, and now, she’s made it clear she still has a soft spot for the band that defined a generation.
When asked about whether she believes it’s possible to separate the art from the artist, particularly when an artist becomes a source of public controversy, Roberts didn’t hesitate to share her thoughts.
“I love The Smiths,” she said simply. “If we do that, we cheat ourselves from having a fully realised understanding. If you don’t know what it is that you’re being shielded from, how can you know better, do better, create better?”
The 56-year-old actress, known for her thoughtful takes and grace under scrutiny, elaborated on the idea that “cancelling” artists can sometimes strip away context and reflection.
“Some things are big, horrible, ugly. And we can all agree that, ‘Yes, that was bad. Let’s not do that again’. But, then, there are other times where you think, ‘Well, who’s to say that this should be put in a barrel, set on fire? Who says that?’ We need nuance.”
Her comments come amid years of debate surrounding Morrissey, who has frequently courted controversy with his political opinions and outspoken remarks. Despite the backlash, The Smiths’ music, including classic albums like The Queen Is Dead and Meat Is Murder, continues to resonate with fans old and new.
Roberts’ statement is being widely praised online by those who agree that art can still have cultural value even when its creator proves divisive. Many fans have taken to social media to celebrate her candidness, with one user writing, “Julia Roberts gets it, you can love The Smiths without endorsing everything Morrissey says.”
The actress has long been known for her openness about her own musical tastes. In past interviews, she’s cited an eclectic mix of favourites, from Fleetwood Mac to Prince, and her comments this week highlight her willingness to discuss complex cultural issues in a grounded way.
Her new movie, After The Hunt, explores similar themes of morality, judgement, and public perception. The film, set for release later this month, has already generated buzz for its sharp dialogue and timely exploration of cancel culture in academia.
For Roberts, who has built a career on playing strong, layered women in films like Erin Brockovich, Pretty Woman and August: Osage County, this new role appears to reflect the nuanced worldview she brings to real life, too.
As she told The Sunday Times, she believes that understanding, not erasure, is the key to progress:
“We can’t just pretend art never existed because someone made mistakes. That doesn’t help us grow, it keeps us stuck.”
After The Hunt is released in UK cinemas later this month.
