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AIBU?

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Original poster

..to find Aaron Taylor Johnson and his wife super creepy?

201 replies

insidenumber9 · 06/05/2024 21:21

Just this really. He was a 16 year old child actor when they met, and she was his director and in her 40s. It’s so sad. Maybe I’m projecting as had a bad relationship with an older man as a teen, but I feel she stole his childhood.

OP posts:
TorroFerney · 07/05/2024 09:53

Leafalotta · 06/05/2024 21:29

It's a bit like Macron. You can say these men were groomed and yes, plenty of people get trapped in relationships where there is grooming and power imbalance. But this couple has been together 15 years, and he is enormously wealthy and successful. He could leave if he wanted to. At some point it becomes a choice, made by a fully formed adult, to stay, and I would say they are far past that point. So I find the way they got together very uncomfortable but I don't find them creepy as a couple now, no.

Hmm I’m not sure that’s true. If it was, a lot of abused women would simply up and leave their abusive partners and vice versa. That’s the thing with abuse surely, the victim feels stuck , trauma bonded, could dependent etc.

PineappleTime · 07/05/2024 09:53

valensiwalensi · 07/05/2024 09:52

Serious ick today learning that Luc Besson met Maiwan when she was TWELVE and he was 29, and she had their first child when she was 16 and he then dumped her on the set of Fifth Element for Mila Jovovitch.

He's a full on PDF file though. There is actual evidence especially around the making of the film Leon.

Oganesson118 · 07/05/2024 09:54

PineappleTime · 07/05/2024 09:51

Will you? This s quite a long thread and only maybe 2 people defended her.

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Surprisingly!

Unopenedpackofmenssocks · 07/05/2024 09:54

aldpiahvge · 06/05/2024 21:36

Well, I enjoyed Back to Black (Amy Winehouse).

It was pretty universally slated, it was a shallow and over simplified story that didn't dig very deep into the complexity of Amy's character and sorry. It was an ok watch, but it wasn't anything remotely special.

You directed many films lately?

soulfuleyes · 07/05/2024 09:59

DrJoanAllenby · 07/05/2024 09:05

@PineappleTime I agree. He was groomed since the age of 13 and robbed of being a teenage boy.

That statement by him that I posted is very sad.

Totally agree and all this old soul/young at heart/psychic connection rubbish to justify it.

@DrJoanAllenby, love your username, my favourite columbo episode!

aldpiahvge · 07/05/2024 10:00

You directed many films lately?

You don't have opinions on anything that you don't directly do yourself? What actually was the point of that reply?

PansyP · 07/05/2024 10:13

GirlOverboard123 · 06/05/2024 22:36

Perhaps you might not find them creepy as a couple today. But Brigitte Macron will permanently be a creepy person for once being a 40 year old teacher who seduced her 15 year old pupil. And Sam Taylor Johnson will permanently be a creepy person for once being a 42 year old film director who slept with the 18 year old actor she cast in her film. Hopefully you'd agree with that at least.

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Brigitte macron is a beard. Its common knowledge in political circles that he is gay and their marriage is to conceal it

Unopenedpackofmenssocks · 07/05/2024 10:15

aldpiahvge · 07/05/2024 10:00

You directed many films lately?

You don't have opinions on anything that you don't directly do yourself? What actually was the point of that reply?

The point of the reply was to underline that her ability as a director has absolutely nothing to do with the issue being debated. Would that poster consider her relationship any less “creepy” if she had directed an amazing film?

What is the point of having a go at her ability to do her job to your standards?

MattDamon · 07/05/2024 10:18

Interesting that when the sexes are reversed we get posters screeching to stop 'infantalizing' the younger woman, she can make her own choices, etc.

He's only 33. He might not fully realise/comprehend what happened to him yet.

Vili Fualaau finally got away from Mary Kay Letourneau in his thirties. And let's be honest: he was probably only truly free when she died a year or so later from cancer.

MermaidEyes · 07/05/2024 10:23

Beefcurtains79 · 07/05/2024 06:45

Here’s an interview from the set, it’s hard to find now but it certainly seems to confirm it was happening on set. She’s a revolting groomer, and majorly arrogant to boot.

“It's a wet March day in Pinner, Harrow, which is doubling up as suburban Liverpool, and the sun is refusing to shine. Taylor-Wood is crouched behind the monitor. With her blond hair plaited over her head and yellow-laced trainers, she looks like a little girl. Whenever the rain comes, she runs inside the house, arm in arm with 19-year-old Aaron Johnson, who plays Lennon. They dance and laugh like teenagers in love. I've never been on a film set with such a strange atmosphere. While the rest of the cast and crew are welcoming, Taylor-Wood and Johnson seem oblivious to the world. They are wearing matching padded jackets - hers has the initials STW stitched into the back, his has AJ. I ask Taylor-Wood if everybody has them. She smiles. "No, only me and Aaron. They all know who the top dogs
are on this set."

Edited

I've read that article, it's interesting. She confirms they were a couple on set but they kept it 'quiet and professional'. She also says she's never lived a conventional life, and after having cancer twice she does as she pleases and doesn't care what others might think.

aldpiahvge · 07/05/2024 10:23

What is the point of having a go at her ability to do her job to your standards?

Fair point, not my standards by the way, think it was pretty widely panned, I suppose unsurprising that someone that has done something so horrible in her private life isn't able to delve into the emotional complexity, warts and all, of another person's life and the people within it. No if she was tremendously successful it wouldn't condone her actions, but it certainly doesn't when she's mediocre either (my personal, uneducated opinion of course).

Pigeonqueen · 07/05/2024 10:23

MattDamon · 07/05/2024 10:18

Interesting that when the sexes are reversed we get posters screeching to stop 'infantalizing' the younger woman, she can make her own choices, etc.

He's only 33. He might not fully realise/comprehend what happened to him yet.

Vili Fualaau finally got away from Mary Kay Letourneau in his thirties. And let's be honest: he was probably only truly free when she died a year or so later from cancer.

I wonder about this too.

I think 33 for a man in particular is quite young, especially considering he’s had quite an odd life by all accounts. It will be interesting to see what happens if he does become Bond as I suspect the dynamic in their relationship will change. I wonder how she will feel about that.

I do feel for their children though. I hope they have a happy life, they’re reaching the age where it’s easy for them to read stuff online about their parents and that must be difficult.

OhYoko · 07/05/2024 11:04

OhshutupBrenda · 06/05/2024 22:49

Reminds me of an IG 'influencer' I followed in the past, she was 13 when she met her now H and he was 24, they met when he was helping out on a school trip she was on. It is all ok though as they did not 'officially' get together until she was 15 and he was 26. She married him at 21 and now they have two kids, I cannot fathom how her parents do not see him as a groomer, revolting predator.

I was in a relationship with a teacher of mine with a similar age gap. We met when I was 13 and he was 25... had a relationship between 15/27 and 22/34. It wasn't even illegal (bar the age of consent) until 2003... teachers were under no legal obligation not to groom their pupils. Fucking grim.

Namechange666 · 07/05/2024 11:16

He was 18 actually. And I don't really think it's anyone's business but theirs. Yes it's young but it's an adult in the eyes of the law. They are still together and very happy by the looks of it. So I aren't going to judge on that.

I got with my partner at 20 and we have been together 18 years. He is also 20 years older than me. No he is not a perve. He was worried about the age gap and I never was. If I'm into someone then that's that. Not every damn thing is creepy just because you don't understand it. I'm still in love with him and whilst we have had our ups and downs like most couples, he is a good man.

This couple might also be the same as me. Just fell in love and are still in love. Look how many relationships go wrong with cheating, abuse Etc. Then someone judges someone like me because I love someone who is older than me? It's a sad state of affairs when people can't mind their own and get judgey.

aldpiahvge · 07/05/2024 11:29

@Namechange666 was he your boss? It's not just the age gap that's at play here, though I don't agree with your views on that either, it's the power imbalance.

HRTQueen · 07/05/2024 11:37

It was appalling at the time as she groomed him (she was celebrated by some in the media for doing what predatory men do ffs it was shameful and made me so angry)

and it’s still awful the relationship started by grooming that is always wrong it’s never equal

CactusMactus · 07/05/2024 11:45

She is awful.

Namechange666 · 07/05/2024 11:53

aldpiahvge · 07/05/2024 11:29

@Namechange666 was he your boss? It's not just the age gap that's at play here, though I don't agree with your views on that either, it's the power imbalance.

There was no power imbalance. We worked at the same level. Although both have done different roles where we work throughout the years. He isn't perfect, no one in this life is. But he cooks (mega cook, love his food) he loves animals, he cleans up. He does his own ironing. He does handyman things rhat I can't do.

He had his own place when I met him. I didn't move in with him for five years as I wasn't ready. When I say this next bit, he would have had no choice anyway don't mistake me, he let me live my 20s as any woman in her 20s should. I went out where and whenever I wanted. Never got jealous and we trusted each other. He'd wave me off and say enjoy yourself.

You know how I knew he was the one for me? I was comfortable around him from the get go. Never had to pretend to be anything but myself. We were friends for a good year first but we had chemistry. We always did.

We live together and have done since I was 25. We have our pets together. We love each other very much. He also isn't the kind of man who does only fans either.

I think I've been lucky in life. It's not always been plain sailing. We've both had our issues along the way. Me too, especially being diagnoser as ND last year. But we have each other's backs. I tell him I love him every single day. And I mean it everytime.

aldpiahvge · 07/05/2024 11:55

@Namechange666 that's very different to STJ then if there was no power imbalance? (Though I think that's debatable tbh). Why are you using your experience to condone something that is completely different and certainly inappropriate?

viagrafalls · 07/05/2024 12:53

Leafalotta · 06/05/2024 21:29

It's a bit like Macron. You can say these men were groomed and yes, plenty of people get trapped in relationships where there is grooming and power imbalance. But this couple has been together 15 years, and he is enormously wealthy and successful. He could leave if he wanted to. At some point it becomes a choice, made by a fully formed adult, to stay, and I would say they are far past that point. So I find the way they got together very uncomfortable but I don't find them creepy as a couple now, no.

But this is exactly what grooming does, unless you are able to see it from a distance you cant see anything wrong with it.

Allfur · 07/05/2024 13:03

Namechange666 · 07/05/2024 11:53

There was no power imbalance. We worked at the same level. Although both have done different roles where we work throughout the years. He isn't perfect, no one in this life is. But he cooks (mega cook, love his food) he loves animals, he cleans up. He does his own ironing. He does handyman things rhat I can't do.

He had his own place when I met him. I didn't move in with him for five years as I wasn't ready. When I say this next bit, he would have had no choice anyway don't mistake me, he let me live my 20s as any woman in her 20s should. I went out where and whenever I wanted. Never got jealous and we trusted each other. He'd wave me off and say enjoy yourself.

You know how I knew he was the one for me? I was comfortable around him from the get go. Never had to pretend to be anything but myself. We were friends for a good year first but we had chemistry. We always did.

We live together and have done since I was 25. We have our pets together. We love each other very much. He also isn't the kind of man who does only fans either.

I think I've been lucky in life. It's not always been plain sailing. We've both had our issues along the way. Me too, especially being diagnoser as ND last year. But we have each other's backs. I tell him I love him every single day. And I mean it everytime.

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So you got to sow your oats?

Iaskedyouthrice · 07/05/2024 13:22

He was cast in Nowhere Boy just before he turned 17. I remember this because a friend around the time was obsessed with the film. I believe STJ handpicked him for the role? They didn't become a couple till he was 18 apparently 🙄 She gives me the heebie jeebies and he talks about her like he has Stockholm Syndrome.

HRTQueen · 07/05/2024 13:27

STJ has been promoting her film about Amy Winehouse recently and in the interviews has been claiming she doesn’t understand the interest in her relationship and puts it’s down to sexism within our society about men having relationships with older women

while there is truth in that it’s twisting the narrative

typical of predatory individuals

henlake7 · 07/05/2024 14:45

I dont find it any creepier then any big age gap TBH (big enough you could potentially be your partners parent!). At least they still seem to be happily married.
Also I think its entirely possible for somebody to know their own mind as a teenager and not be the victim of grooming.
If I was going to be creeped out by anyone in this regard its got to be Leonardo Di Caprio....so many disposable baby girlfriends, cant he find someone his own age to play with!?

aldpiahvge · 07/05/2024 14:53

@henlake7 it's not about the 18 year old though, it's the 42 year old, I'm 36 and the thought of going after a 16-18 year old boy makes me feel nauseous, and I think it would have done for the past 10 years or so! It's creepy she was attracted to someone so young, and how she had no self control or awareness, in such a public lifestyle also, to stop herself.