Boris Johnson Confesses Awkward Encounter with Leonardo DiCaprio at Cop 26 Summit
Former UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, recently shared a rather cringeworthy encounter he had with Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio during the Cop 26 summit in November 2021. Johnson confessed how DiCaprio walked away from him after an embarrassing conversation, where the politician found himself reciting lines from DiCaprio’s 2006 film, Blood Diamond, in a questionable “South African” accent.
As DiCaprio started to distance himself, Johnson, in a state of panic, began quoting lines from the film that he claimed to know “by heart.” In his new memoir, Unleashed, Johnson recounted the moment when the incident occurred, with the actor eventually stating, “I will see you later, my friend,” before leaving Johnson behind.
The 2006 political war thriller, Blood Diamond, featured DiCaprio portraying the character of Danny Archer, a gunrunner and Border War veteran involved in smuggling diamonds during the Sierra Leone civil war. Johnson detailed how he initially thought DiCaprio was approaching him to discuss climate change issues, only to later discover that the actor simply needed to use the restroom within the presidential suite.
Amidst the embarrassing encounter, Johnson described DiCaprio as “taller and bulkier” than he had anticipated, as the actor made his way towards the UK delegation at the summit. Despite the unexpected turn of events, DiCaprio engaged in more amicable conversations with other British dignitaries present, including a meeting with the then Prince of Wales, Charles.
DiCaprio, a renowned climate activist and philanthropist, has been a vocal advocate for environmental causes, donating substantial amounts to environmental organisations and supporting green initiatives. His dedication to climate issues was further highlighted when he won his first Oscar in 2016 and used his platform to address climate change as a pressing global concern.
The episode with DiCaprio left Johnson starstruck, reflecting his long-standing admiration for the actor’s work. In his book, Johnson recalled watching one of DiCaprio’s films, The Revenant, while recovering from Covid-19 in intensive care in April 2020, underscoring the impact of the actor’s performances on him.
The awkward yet memorable encounter at the Cop 26 summit serves as a humorous anecdote in Johnson’s political career, highlighting the unpredictable nature of interactions in high-profile settings. Despite the initial awkwardness, both Johnson and DiCaprio continued their respective commitments to public service and environmental advocacy following the encounter.