'It was bizarre': Armie Hammer sets record straight regarding 'outlandish' cannibalism accusations that shook his life

Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Armie Hammer, 37, is finally opening up about the “outlandish” allegations that rocked his life after he was accused of indulging in cannibalism. 

In January 2021, Hammer was accused of being a cannibal. Several anonymous social media users shared screenshots of direct messages allegedly made by the ‘Social Network’ star, that referred to some disturbing fetishes and fantasies.

One of the texts read, "I am a 100% cannibal."

More than three years after the initial incident, the ‘Call Me By Your Name’ actor is setting the record straight, per E! News.

Armie Hammer clears the air

Appearing on the podcast ‘Painful Lessons’ on June 16, the actor shared, "There were things that people were saying about me that just felt so outlandish," before adding, "That I was a cannibal."

The actor continued, "Now, I'm able to sort of look at it with a sense of distance and perspective and be like. 'That's hilarious'. People called me a cannibal and everyone believed them. They're like, 'Yep, that guy ate people'. You're just like, 'What? What are you talking about? Do you know what you have to do to be a cannibal? You have to eat people. How am I going to be a cannibal?' It was bizarre."

Despite facing a tough time because of the allegations, the ‘Death on the Nile’ actor maintains a sense of optimism about the matter. 

He shared, "Whatever it was that happened, I'm now at a place in my life where I'm grateful for every single bit of it," and noted, "I'm actually now at a place where I'm really grateful for it, because where I was in my life before all of that stuff happened to me, I didn't feel good.”

“I never felt satisfied I never had enough. I never was in a place where I was happy with myself, where I had self-esteem. I never knew how to give myself love,” continued the star. 

Because of the allegations, he also had to step down from his role in ‘Shotgun Wedding’ in 2021. The accusations not only derailed his career for worse but also shredded his position in the industry. 

He recalled, "So everything in my life falls apart," noting, "I lose all my representation. I lose all of my work. I lose everything right at the time I think this is the worst thing that's ever happened to me.”

Nevertheless, he faced the dire situation with optimism. “But when I look at it now with a sense of perspective and albeit a much healthier perspective, I'm able to look at things, like, for the last couple years, I've taken my kids to school every single day,” explained the star. 

He continued, “I've picked them up every single day from school. I drive them around. I take them to what they need to do and then I take them home to their mom."

Hammer is a father to two children with his ex-wife Elizabeth Chambers. The former couple, however, separated in 2020 before the scandal broke. 

Armie Hammer was accused of wrongdoings

The cannibalism accusations were not the only allegations that the actor faced in 2021. In March 2021, he was accused of rape by a woman named Effie. 

She accused him of physically violating her over a period of four years and claimed their on-and-off relationship happened when he was still married. 

Subsequent investigations by LAPD determined in May 2023 that there was insufficient evidence to charge Hammer with a crime. He has, nevertheless, always maintained his innocence in past interviews.