Charlize Theron Faces Red Carpet Boycott

Hollywood's celebrity photographers are threatening to boycott Charlize Theron on the eve of the Academy Awards, saying they are sick of the star's behaviour.

With the film industry gearing up for the Oscars tonight (27/2/12), the New York Post reports that photographers say they are "sick" of the star's behaviour and could down their cameras en masse.

Under the headline: "Red carpet photogs consider ban on Charlize Theron", the newspaper quotes veteran Hollywood photographer James Smeal as saying Theron "doesn't like to stop for us or even smile". Smeal reportedly told Fox News: "I even said congratulations when she was nominated for a Golden Globe, and she totally ignores you. That's the worst."

Other photographers accuse Theron of being "typically rushed" if she even stops at all. They point out that they are not street paparazzi, but photo journalists who covered entertainment. "We are shooting for legitimate agencies," said one. "We don't want to be disrespected; surely a smile for a few moments isn't that hard."

But at least one New York-based photographer came to Theron's defence, saying she did not respond well to the boisterous yelling and screaming. "Ask her nicely and calmly, and I have never had a problem. She just doesn't like rudeness."

The newspaper did not say if - or when - a ban on the South African-born actress would begin. In 1997 celebrity photographers boycotted George Clooney for a comment he made about tabloid snappers, but he apologised to them and the ban was dropped.

Smeal said others who had been boycotted in the past included Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone and Jennifer Lopez.