Jane Fonda’s awkward red carpet interview at SAG Awards leaves fans feeling ‘second-hand embarrassment’

Jane Fonda’s awkward red carpet interview at SAG Awards leaves fans feeling ‘second-hand embarrassment’
Jane Fonda received the Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2025 SAG Awards but ahead of the big moment, she gave what has been dubbed as an 'awkward' interview (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jane Fonda appeared "dazed" during her awkward red carpet interview at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, February 23 evening, leaving fans with "second-hand embarrassment".

The 87-year-old actress was awarded the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award at the event. During the red carpet, she stopped to chat with host Lilly Singh ahead of the ceremony, per Daily Mail.



 

Jane Fonda appears to 'freeze up' during SAG red carpet interview

During her red carpet interview with Lilly Singh, the 'Coming Home' star appeared to stumble over her words and struggled to answer the questions during their talk, per the outlet.

UK-based body language expert Judi James analyzed her behavior during the interview, per Daily Mail. She said that Fonda's body language seemed like she was "deliberately holding back rather than embracing the moment".

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 23: Jane Fonda, winner of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, poses in the press room during the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)
Jane Fonda, winner of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, poses in the press room during the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025, in Los Angeles (Frazer Harrison/WireImage)

She mentioned, "Despite being an iconic actress and a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement award, her body language suggested she was deliberately holding back rather than embracing the moment."

The body language expert added, "Clutching her microphone tightly with both hands, Jane seemed hesitant to speak, offering little more than a curt 'I don’t know' in response to questions."

She also mentioned, "When the interviewer attempted to prompt her, she firmly pushed back with, 'Those were your words, not mine.'"

However, even though James theorized that Fonda's behavior was "deliberate" initially, she added that the 87-year-old star seemed to "freeze up" and went "blank" as the interview went on, per the outlet.

James said, "There were long pauses followed each question, and at times, she appeared to glare or stare at the interviewer rather than engaging in conversation. The tension made for a toe-curling interview."

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 23: Jane Fonda accepts the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award onstage during the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Jane Fonda accepts the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award onstage during the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025, in Los Angeles (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Interestingly, during the interview, Singh asked Fonda about her dress, what she liked to do when she wasn't acting, and what advice she had for younger stars.

Fonda gave short and blunt responses, and at one point, snapped at Singh, "I never said that."

The body language expert branded the interview as "one of the most uncomfortable red carpet moments of the night", per the outlet

Fans say Jane Fonda's red carpet interview was 'difficult to watch'

Several social media users trolled Jane Fonda for her awkward red carpet interview at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday.

A user wrote on X, "Jane Fonda was in a daze", while one added, "Is it me or did Jane Fonda seem disoriented on the red carpet? She is always poised and well-spoken but something seemed 'off' tonight."



 



 

A person also stated, "It was so awkward and difficult to watch", whereas one mentioned, "Watching this Netflix red carpet interview at the SAG Awards and it's already awkward with the interview with Jane Fonda taken back from the two simple questions from Lilly Singh."



 



 

A user also wrote, "My girl Jane Fonda was not having it. What an awkward interview."

Another commented, "The second hand embarrassment I got from the Jane Fonda interview."



 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

Share this article:  Jane Fonda’s awkward red carpet interview at SAG Awards leaves fans feeling ‘second-hand embarrassment’