Michele Morrone Roasted Online for 'Cringey' Self-Portrait
Social media users compared the '365 Days' actor to Ben Stiller's 'Zoolander' character after a painting in his home drew criticism.
Italian actor Michele Morrone, known for his role in the Netflix franchise '365 Days,' has become the subject of online mockery after content creator Daniella Kalita highlighted a self-portrait in his home. Kalita shared an Instagram reel calling Morrone a "Real life Zoolander," referencing Ben Stiller's character from the 2001 satirical comedy.
Morrone, 35, frequently shares his creative endeavors, including painting and music, on TikTok. In one video featuring him playing the piano, Kalita noticed a painting of Morrone holding his own severed head, which she playfully criticized in her reel. "Nothing screams humble like a self-portrait of you holding your own severed head," she stated.
The social media reaction was swift, with many users echoing Kalita's sentiment. "Real life Zoolander is the most accurate description of him I've ever read," one commenter wrote. Another user suggested, "He is his own biggest fan... I bet he has himself as a screensaver." Some found the artwork particularly awkward because they believed Morrone painted it himself. "He paints, so I think he painted it himself, which [makes it] more cringe [than it] already is," one Instagram user commented.
However, not all comments were critical. Some users defended Morrone, with one stating, "Girl, I get it but if I had his face I would have done the same." Another social media user drew a comparison to Sydney Sweeney, writing, "Don't hate me, but he is the male Sydney Sweeney," a comment that garnered significant likes.
Morrone gained international recognition in 2020 for his portrayal of Mafia boss Massimo Torricelli in '365 Days,' starring alongside Anna-Maria Sieklucka. The film series, based on a book trilogy by Polish author Blanka Lipinska, follows Torricelli's pursuit of Laura Biel, whom he kidnaps and gives a year to fall in love with him. The franchise faced criticism for its depiction of kidnapping and nonconsensual themes, with campaigners arguing it glorified rape and trafficking.
Morrone has since appeared in films such as 'The Housemaid' and 'Another Simple Favor.' He has also been romantically linked to celebrities including Megan Fox and Khloe Kardashian.