Michelle Rodriguez says Liam Neeson can't be racist because of how he kissed Viola Davis in Widows

Liam Neeson may be in hot water following his recent confession of a racist revenge story, but he has found a defender in his Widows costar Michelle Rodriguez, who cites the 66-year-old actor’s romantic scenes with Viola Davis in Steve McQueen’s heist film.

“It’s all f—in’ bulls—,” the actress told Vanity Fair at the amfAR Gala New York on Wednesday. “Liam Neeson is not a racist. Dude, have you watched Widows? His tongue was so far down Viola Davis’ throat. You can’t call him a racist ever. Racists don’t make out with the race that they hate, especially in the way he does with his tongue — so deep down her throat. I don’t care how good of an actor you are. It’s all bulls—. Ignore it. He’s not a racist. He’s a loving man. It’s all lies.”

In Widows, Neeson plays Harry Rawlings, the criminal husband of Davis’ Veronica. When Harry is killed during a heist gone wrong, Veronica steps up to assemble one last job, which includes Rodriguez’s fellow widow, Linda. Neeson and Rodriguez share no scenes together in the well-received film.

Rodriguez’s defense of Neeson comes a few days after the Cold Pursuit star sparked outrage when he recounted a story from more than 40 years ago. After finding out a friend of his had allegedly been raped by a black man, the actor felt a “primal urge to lash out” and walked “black areas in the city looking to be set upon” so he could “unleash physical violence.”

On Tuesday, Neeson went on Good Morning America, declaring, “I’m not a racist.” He told Robin Roberts that he sought help after being “shocked” by his actions, further saying that he hopes this will force others “to talk about these things.”

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