Fans Slam Bradley Cooper for Banning Completely Innocuous Item on Set

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper is the latest celeb to face backlash from his fans, and the recent online criticism is all because of a strict rule he enforces on his film sets.

While promoting his new film Maestro, in which he stars and directs, Cooper revealed that he doesn't allow any chairs on set, a method he believes encourages cast and crew to keep their energy levels up.

"There's no chairs," he told Spike Lee while doing an interview for Variety published earlier this week. "I've always hated chairs on sets. Your energy dips the minute you sit down in a chair."

Cooper also suggested "apple boxes," as an alternative option for those wanting to rest their legs, calling that solution "a very nice way to sit."

The Guardians of the Galaxy actor went on to say that directing the new movie "changed" him as an artist. "People may not like it. I'm sure they won't."

And he wasn't wrong about that, as some fans have now been speaking out online against his no-chairs rule, which many believe is unfair to the set's hard-working cast and crew, who sometimes need to sit on a chair for a moment.

"I've been on film sets for over 16 hours a day," one user wrote on X. "I can't imagine never being able to sit down."

"For Bradley Cooper and everyone else who needs to hear it, you get the best work out of folks when they feel safe, included, and their needs are met," someone else lamented. "If you have to create harsh conditions to get people to work, you are simply not good at leading. It's a skill issue."

"Sure your energy might dip, but overworking and exhaustion should be the trend of the past. Let's do better," another user pointed out online, while someone else labeled Cooper's rule as "ableist."

Others found the uproar surrounding Cooper's directing method to be blown out of proportion, especially after his apple box comment made it seem like people on set are allowed to sit if they really need to—apparently, just not on a chair.

"Bradley Cooper's chair-free set is part of a larger trend among directors to foster a more dedicated and energetic filmmaking environment," one person argued in support of Cooper. "While unconventional, these methods have their own merits in the world of cinema."

As of writing, the actor and director has not publicly addressed the intense response to his no chairs on set statement.

Next: Bradley Cooper's 6-Year-Old Daughter Is All Smiles in Rare Red Carpet Appearance With Dad