Late Late Show host James Corden has opened up on his first meeting with Meryl Streep, and has revealed he found the Hollywood legend less than lovable.
In fact, James went as far to jokingly call the movie maven a “complete b—-,” when recalling a story of the pair’s first meeting at the 19th Annual Costume Designers Guild awards in Los Angeles.
The 38-year-old was introducing the Florence Foster Jenkins star as the recipient of the Distinguished Collaborator Award at the event when he launched into the tale of their memorable meeting.
“I’m here tonight to present an award to Meryl Streep,” James said. “I remember the first time I met Meryl, we were in London and Meryl was having a bite to eat with Christine Baranski and I walked over to the table and I said, ‘Hello, I’m James,’ and she looked me right in the eye – and I’ll never ever forget it – she said to me, ‘I’d like the lemon-encrusted salmon with a Diet Coke.'”
James attempted to explain to Meryl that he was actually an actor and was about to play a role alongside her in Into the Woods, to which she replied “That’s great, I’d like the lemon-encrusted salmon with a Diet Coke.”
He then went on to quip: “”What I’m trying to say is, and it’s time that someone said it, she’s a complete b—-.”
James also jokingly referenced Donald Trump’s tweet calling the star “overrated” following Meryl’s impassioned speech at the Golden Globes last month.
Despite James’ onstage ribbing, he revealed his true feelings about the iconic star before she took the stage.
“There is no one like her, there never will be, and there never has been.”
