feuds

Leonardo DiCaprio Won't Support the Paps

by Celebuzz on Nov. 25, 2008 12:59 PM / 2 Comments

Leonardo DiCaprio is possessive.

First, the 34-year-old superstar made it clear in no uncertain terms that he doesn't support 21-year-old Zac Efron's bid to usurp his heartthrob status.

Now Leo is railing against the tabloids and paparazzi, characterizing them as "disrespectful and dangerous" leeches who siphon his star power to fill their own pockets.

"I've heard people say, 'Because you hide, it makes you seem ungrateful,'" DiCaprio says of his media-shy image, according to Contact Music. "The mere fact that these—I'll use the word piles—are earning money from exploiting my image is the only reason I hide myself or am not a photo-friendly person. I do not like the way they conduct themselves. I think they're disrespectful and dangerous. The reason I don't pose or smile is that I don't want them to make a living off my private life."

Perhaps DiCaprio—who made a reported $45 million off of his fame last year—should reconsider his philosophy. His latest movie, terrorism thriller Body of Lies, was walloped by a talking chihuahua at the box office.

He might want to be grateful that people still want to see his face somewhere.

Besides, legitimate gripe or not, Leo has much better things to do than complain about having his picture taken.

Quotables /

“In three years, Leonardo DiCaprio has only been on this stupid page a handful of times, and not once was it ever for anything bad. No DUIs, no lawsuits, no drugs or scandalous breakups.”