Anna Kendrick’s Hilarious Slip-Up with President Obama: Calling Him an “Asshole”
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While promoting her 2018 film A Simple Favor, actress Anna Kendrick shared a memorable and humorous encounter from 2012 when she nervously called then-President Barack Obama an “asshole” during a brief meeting—sparking laughter between the two.
A Starstruck Moment at a Campaign Event
The incident took place at a campaign event in Los Angeles where Kendrick was invited as a guest. Arriving early, she mingled with about 30 people and struck up a friendly conversation with a Secret Service agent from her home state of Maine. This casual interaction set a light tone for what was to come.
Obama’s Praise and Playful Banter
During his speech, President Obama praised Kendrick’s Oscar-nominated performance in Up in the Air (2009), highlighting the film’s relevance to economic issues. When Kendrick met him face-to-face, Obama joked, “I hope I didn’t embarrass you earlier?”
Caught off guard and starstruck, Kendrick responded sarcastically, “Yeah, you’re such an asshole.” Far from offensive, it was a nervous, tongue-in-cheek reply that immediately led to shared laughter. The conversation continued playfully as Kendrick teased Obama about whether Mainers were known for being punctual—adding to the lighthearted mood.
Capturing the Moment
Kendrick later posted a photo of the encounter on Instagram in 2013, captioning it as “The coolest three seconds of my life” and joking about her humor. The image and story captivated fans, showcasing a rare, candid glimpse of the actress’s quick wit and genuine nerves meeting a powerful world leader.
Story Resurfaces During A Simple Favor Promotion
Kendrick recounted the funny exchange on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2018 while promoting A Simple Favor, the comedy-thriller directed by Paul Feig. The tale was widely picked up by media outlets including Glamour, Vulture, and Elle, all emphasizing the actress’s charming vulnerability and humor in an unforgettable moment with President Obama.
Anna Kendrick’s amusing slip serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars get starstruck—and sometimes, it leads to moments of genuine, shared laughter with history-makers.
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