James Franco Apologizes for Inappropriate Instagram Messages to 17-Year-Old Girl

Hollywood actor James Franco has admitted to using “bad judgment” after his attempts to seduce a Scottish teenager on Instagram went viral.

The Spiderman star, 35, confessed that he exchanged flirty messages with Lucy Clode, 17, after she attended his Broadway show in New York.

The teenage student from Dollar Academy shared screenshots of their conversation, which included two pictures Franco sent to verify his identity.

Franco addressed the controversy on Live with Kelly and Michael, stating that he was embarrassed and that social media can be tricky.

Many initially assumed it was a late April Fool's joke or a marketing ploy for his upcoming film about a teacher involved in a s**ual relationship with a student.

Franco revealed that he did indeed try to contact Clode on Instagram and asked her to meet him at a hotel.

He did not comment on the fact that she was only 17 years old but acknowledged that he used bad judgment.

He stated that he had learned his lesson and emphasized the difficulties of meeting people online, especially when you don't know who you are talking to.

Franco's admission confirmed that the incident was not a prank or a marketing stunt.

During his appearance on Live with Kelly and Michael, he admitted that being famous adds an extra layer of embarrassment to these situations as they often become public.

The exchange between Franco and Clode began when the teenager took pictures of Franco after his performance of Of Mice and Men.

Franco noticed her taking the photos and suggested that she share them on Instagram and tag him.

They then engaged in a conversation where Franco asked about her age, if she had a boyfriend, and whether he should rent a room.

The conversation continued via text message, and Franco even sent a photo of himself holding a piece of paper with Clode's name on it to prove it was really him.

Clode expressed concerns that it could be an imposter, to which Franco responded by posting a picture of himself.

Ultimately, Clode decided to wait until she turned 18 before meeting him.

The screenshots of their conversation caused a stir on social media and gossip sites, with some questioning their authenticity and suggesting they may be a publicity stunt.

It is worth noting that Franco's next film involves a teacher dating one of his students, leading some to speculate that the interaction with Clode could be a clever marketing strategy.

However, it is unclear whether this is the case.

Despite the controversy, Franco did not break any laws since the age of consent in New York is 17.

However, his actions received criticism from fans who believed he was behaving inappropriately.

Throughout the ordeal, Clode's boyfriend, Brodie Dickson, remained supportive and appeared pleased to have “beaten” Franco in the love stakes.

In conclusion, James Franco has apologized for his inappropriate Instagram messages to a 17-year-old girl.

He acknowledged his bad judgment and the complexities of social media.

The incident sparked debate about online interactions, age differences, and the blurred lines between reality and celebrity.