Famously known for his roles in blockbuster films like Magic Mike and 21 Jump Street, Channing Tatum has been dominating the entertainment industry for decades. Over the years, Tatum has created an impressive resume by working on acclaimed projects and collaborating with Oscar winners like Sandra Bullock.
However, despite his own reputation as a Hollywood heartthrob, Channing Tatum had a cringe-worthy moment in his past, when it came to fellow actor Matt Damon. Being a huge fan of the Oscar winner, Tatum recounted an embarrassing incident he had with Damon, upon his first encounter.
Starstruck Channing Tatum Asked an Embarrassing Question to Matt Damon
Despite being known for his onscreen charm and charisma, even Channing Tatum isn’t immune to Matt Damon’s worldwide popularity and iconic persona. Thus recalling an awkward encounter with the Oscar-winning star, Tatum told PEOPLE magazine how he embarrassed himself by asking a seemingly innocuous question to Damon.
Shooting Steven Soderbergh’s film Haywire in 2011, Channing Tatum recalled how they were in Albuquerque, hanging out at the hotel bar, after wrapping up for the day, when Matt Damon showed up, to hang out with the filmmaker. Thereafter, finding himself face to face with the actor he admired greatly, Tatum revealed how his excitement got the best of him.
We’re in Albuquerque, and we’ve shot for the day. We’re all just hanging out at the hotel bar and Matt Damon comes by to hang out with Soderbergh. I’m just beside myself. I’m such a fan and still am. I sat down next to him, and I was like, ‘Hey, man. Where are you from?’ — and I was like ‘I just asked Matt Damon where he’s from.’
In an attempt to break the ice, Channing Tatum unfortunately ended up asking Matt Damon where he was from. Although the Step Up actor immediately realized his mistake, there was nothing he could do to take it back. Recounting how he stumbled over his words and ended up asking Damon a bizarre question, Tatum expressed his embarrassment.
Channing Tatum is Still Haunted by His Awkward Encounter with Matt Damon
Immediately after asking Matt Damon about his whereabouts, Channing Tatum mentioned crawling into the corner of his mind and reconsidering his question. Embarrassed by the awkward encounter that caught Damon off guard, Tatum mentioned cursing himself for simply blurting out the first thing that came to his mind.
Everyone on the planet knows where Matt Damon is from. He obviously knows that I know where Matt Damon is from. I almost didn’t recover. I don’t think I said anything for the next maybe two hours or so, and I still think about it today. Every once in a while, I’ll just have a cold sweat and feel like, I can’t believe.
Recalling the weight of embarrassment that washed over him right after asking the weird question, Channing Tatum mentioned that Matt Damon was a great sport. Instead of dwelling on the question and making Tatum more awkward and embarrassed, Damon apparently played along, sensing Tatum’s discomfort.
He knew I was freaking out and just didn’t even acknowledge it. Because he’s such a personable guy. He just took care of me in that moment and answered me. It was like nothing ever happened. He was just like, ‘Oh, I’m from Boston. Where are you from?’ and I was like, ‘I’m from Florida.’ In my head, I just kept screaming: ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry!
As Matt Damon responded in a lighthearted manner that diffused the tension of the situation, the interaction spoke volumes about his character and professionalism. But as for Channing Tatum, he is still haunted by his cringe-worthy encounter and revealed feeling nervous about meeting famous people, or the ones he admires.
