Popular talk show host, James Corden, has publicly expressed regret for his recent actions at Balthazar, a prestigious New York restaurant, following his brief ban from the establishment.
Previously, Balthazar owner Keith McNally had criticized the actor as his “most abusive” customer in a scathing Instagram post.
Having initially intended to maintain a stoic British demeanor of “never complain, never explain,” the 44-year-old Corden addressed the scandal on Monday night.
In his statement, Corden acknowledged his fault, stating, “Because I didn’t shout or scream — like I didn’t get up out of my seat, I didn’t call anyone names or use derogatory language — I have been walking around thinking that I hadn’t done anything wrong, right? But the truth is I have. I made a rude comment. And it was wrong. It was an unnecessary comment. It was ungracious to the server.”
Reflecting on the incident with his wife, Julia Carey, Corden claimed that his spouse was served food to which she is allergic on three separate occasions.
“In the heat of the moment, I made made a sarcastic, rude comment about cooking it myself. And it is a comment I deeply regret,” Corden recalled, noting that he previously worked restaurant shifts “for years.”
The comedian expressed his deep respect for servers and the value he places on their work, especially those at Balthazar.
“Genuinely, I love it there,” Corden added. “I love the food, the vibe, the service. If I lived in New York, I would go every day on the proviso … that they would let me in.”
McNally also confirmed that Corden had personally apologized for his actions and the two had a conversation, with McNally expressing his belief in second chances.
