EXCLUSIVE: Cuba Gooding Jr. Says He Meant 'No Disrespect' When He Lifted Up Sarah Paulson's Skirt
Cuba Gooding Jr. responds to the "Twitter noise" he caused when he lifted up his The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story co-star Sarah Paulson's skirt during a panel at the 4th Annual PaleyFest last month.
While at the 8th Annual FX All-Star bowling party on Thursday, the 49-year-old actor was quick to clarify his actions when chatting with ET, calling his American Crime Story co-stars "a family."
"I see Sarah Paulson as my sister," he said. "I noticed there was some Twitter noise about a picture of her and I, but there is no disrespect. I love her like I do my daughter and other powerful women in my life."
EXCLUSIVE: Cuba Gooding, Jr. Reacts to Kato Kaelin Slamming American Crime Story on Twitter
Continuing to praise the 42-year-old actress, Gooding Jr. addressed the rumors that she is being considered to take on the role of Princess Diana in Ryan Murphy's upcoming season of Feud. "She would be a wonderful Princess Diana, absolutely," the Oscar winner gushed. "She's got a magnetism about it ...and a grace that enables us to get lost in that grace and find her character's truth. She's the top of the game for actresses in this country."
Gooding Jr. is also set to star in Murphy's Katrina: American Crime Story, along with Paulson, Courtney B. Vance and Annette Bening. The 49-year-old actor admitted that he does feel a "pressure of excellence" following the success of the first American Crime Story, where he portrayed O.J. Simpson.
"That's what makes great work. You just have to let go and let God," he explained. "We're in great hands with Ryan Murphy and Nina Jacobson and Brad [Falchuk]. They are great captains of the ship and I'm sure we'll be in good hands with this series."
Gooding Jr. added, "If O.J. was a 200-foot yacht, Katrina is going to be a cruise liner in terms of production and special [effects] and statements and emotion."
WATCH: Cuba Gooding Jr. Lifts Up Sarah Paulson's Skirt at PaleyFest, Sparks Online Outrage
Reporting by David Batista.