Mickey Rourke’s Eviction Fundraiser Sparks Confusion and Dispute
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise $100,000 to help Oscar-nominated actor Mickey Rourke avoid eviction has stirred confusion and public disagreement. The fundraiser, which has surpassed its goal by raising more than $101,000, was launched after reports surfaced that Rourke owed nearly $60,000 in back rent on his Los Angeles home. Despite the apparent success of the campaign, Rourke himself has publicly disavowed any involvement or consent regarding the fundraiser.
In a video posted to his official Instagram account, Rourke expressed frustration and bewilderment over the campaign. “That’s not me, okay? I’d rather, if I needed money, I wouldn’t ask for no fucking charity. I’d rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger,” he said emphatically. He also stated, “I wouldn’t know what a GoFundMe foundation is in a million years,” directly contradicting claims made by Liya-Joelle Jones, who set up the fundraiser and identified herself as an assistant to Rourke’s manager, Kimberly Hines.
The GoFundMe page asserts it was “created with Mickey’s full permission,” but Rourke urged fans not to donate, calling the situation “humiliating.” He hinted at distrust toward someone close to him, saying, “There’s only one person I can think of that would do such a thing, and I hope it’s not the person I’m thinking about.”
Kimberly Hines, Rourke’s manager, confirmed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that her team was behind the GoFundMe campaign. She insisted that the funds raised would go directly to Rourke and not to her personally. “If Mickey doesn’t want this money now and decides, ‘I don’t want help, it’s like it’s charity,’ the money will be returned,” Hines said. She also emphasized that no one involved was attempting to exploit the actor. “Nobody’s trying to grift Mickey,” she added. “I want him working. I don’t want him doing a GoFundMe… Mickey was cool with getting help the other day. And now Mickey’s like, ‘I’m not taking charity.’”
This discord highlights the complexities celebrities face when private financial struggles become public. Rourke’s candid rejection of the fundraiser contrasts with the efforts of those close to him to provide assistance. The situation echoes broader conversations about privacy, dignity, and support for public figures in financial distress.
For those interested in the legal aspects of eviction and tenant rights in California, resources are available through the California Courts Self-Help Center. Additionally, information on charitable giving and GoFundMe campaigns can be found through the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also offers advice on managing debt and financial hardship.
As this story develops, it remains to be seen whether Rourke will accept outside financial help or resolve his rent issues independently. Meanwhile, the public is left navigating the blurred lines between charity, privacy, and celebrity status.
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