James Corden torn apart for ‘truly disgusting’ performance in The Prom

Actor has been accused of leaning into ‘horrifying’ gay stereotypes

James Corden is being criticised for his “gross and offensive” performance in The Prom.

The British star appears opposite Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep in the new Netflix musical, which has been adapted by Ryan Murphy from the hit Broadway show.

It follows a group of has-been actors who visit a small Indiana town to help a lesbian teenager after she is banned from attending her prom.

The straight Corden plays ailing gay Broadway star Barry Glickman, and his performance is being savagely torn apart by critics despite the fact some enjoyed many other aspects of the film.

AwardsWatch’s Erik Anderson, who called The Prom "gorgeous and vibrant", said that Corden’s performance was “truly disgusting”.

He described his performance as “the worst gayface in a long, long time,” adding: “He is awful.”

IndieWire writer Zack Sharf tweeted: “The Prom shouts about tolerance but has James Corden leaning into effeminate gay stereotypes every chance he gets.”

Writing an article about Corden's “insulting” performance for Vanity Fair, Richard Lawson said that Corden is “so bad” in the film that he thinks “no more straight actors” should play gay men “until [the film’s] sins are properly atoned for”.

He adds that Corden is shown “flitting and lisping around in the most uninspired of caricatures”.

Find more reactions to Corden’s performance below.

The Prom is available to stream now on Netflix.