People News

James Franco recalls school gay rumours

Jan 23, 2013, 11:02 GMT

James Franco

James Franco's classmates made up a dance about him being gay.

The 'Lovelace' star insists false rumours about his sexuality don't bother him because he has been subjected to them for many years, and was even the subject of high school gossip that alleged he was having a secret relationship with a male friend.

He told MTV News: 'In high school these girls got mad at me and so they spread this rumour that I was having a gay relationship with one of my closest friends.

'And they even made up a little dance they would do in the girls' locker room about me being gay. I still don't know what the dance was.'

The 34-year-old actor - who dated his 'Whatever It Takes' co-star Marla Sokoloff for five years and then had another five-year relationship, with actress Ahna O'Reilly, but has been single since they split in 2011 - insists he doesn't care if people think he is gay and isn't 'frightened' about being the subject of such rumours.

Discussing the speculation that still surrounds his sexuality, James - who has played gay characters in several films including 'Milk' and 'Howl' - added: 'It wasn't like it was anything new. And in fact, it wasn't something that frightened me, like if people think that, it's fine. I really don't care.'