Zendaya And Robert Pattinson'S Director Under Fire For Justifying Past Relationship With Teen

Director's Controversial Past Comes to Light

Kristoffer Borgli, the director of the highly anticipated film starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is facing severe criticism after an old essay he penned resurfaced. Translated by The Hollywood Reporter, the essay reveals Borgli's attempt to justify a relationship with a 16-year-old girl back in 2012. At the time, Borgli was 27, and he penned this piece for the Norwegian magazine Dagens Naeringsliv, grappling with the societal frown upon such age-gap relationships despite them being technically legal.

Defending the Indefensible

In his essay, Borgli referred to the relationship as a "May-December" romance, one where the age difference spurred social disapproval. He wrote about confiding in friends, who advised against continuing the relationship, advice he ultimately ignored. Despite acknowledging the moral dilemma, Borgli defended his actions by drawing comparisons to films like Woody Allen’s Manhattan, where similar relationships were depicted without controversy at the time.

“The heart wants what it wants, but ignoring the boundaries of decency is a choice,” noted one critic on Reddit.

Describing the teenager as "quite equal" to him due to her cultural interests, Borgli recounted their summer together filled with activities like watching Woody Allen movies and sneaking into bars. The essay, now viral, has sparked outrage across social media platforms.

Public Backlash and Silence from the Stars

The backlash has been swift, with Reddit users and others online condemning Borgli's past actions and expressing disappointment. Some have pledged to boycott The Drama, which is set to debut shortly. Comments have ranged from outright disgust to critiques of Borgli's justifications, branding him a "predator creep."

So far, neither Borgli nor stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, or production company A24 have commented on the controversy. With the film's release looming, the silence only adds to the growing discomfort surrounding the project.