Actor Brad Pitt, who recently confessed his love for singer-songwriter Frank Ocean, made a surprise appearance during Ocean’s headlining FYF Fest set on Saturday night in Los Angeles.
Pitt could be seen sat on stage speaking into a mobile phone, and acting out a spectrum of emotions, while Ocean sang his take on Stevie Wonder’s version of The Carpenters’ Close to You, according to tweets and videos from the event.
Several screens showed a close-up of Pitt, who appeared thoughtful and occasionally smiling, with fog surrounding him.
One Twitter user claimed that American director Spike Jonze, who was previously spotted recording Ocean’s performance in the UK, was filming the Pitt cameo: “Spike Jones [sic] is filming Brad Pitt on stage during Frank Ocean’s set. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”
However, the onstage collaboration is not apropos of nothing. The catalyst for it came in May, during a viral GQ cover interview Pitt did that mentions his love of Ocean’s music.
Between discussing his relationship troubles, mental health struggles, and career choices, Pitt said: “I’ve been listening to a lot of Frank Ocean. I find this young man so special. Talk about getting to the raw truth. He’s painfully honest. He’s very, very special. I can’t find a bad one.”
Ocean responded to Pitt’s declaration in his own way last month: by wearing a graphic t-shirt with Pitt’s face on it during a Parklife Festival performance in Manchester.
Ocean was the third headliner at FYF Fest this year; Missy Elliot and Bjork headlined on Friday night, while Nine Inch Nails were booked for closing night on Sunday. The festival is known for its guest cameos, though they are usually reserved for musicians.
Last year, rapper Gucci Mane and pop stars Carly Rae Jepsen and Nelly Furtado made guest appearances. The year before that, drummer Travis Barker surprised fans during a set by hip hop super-group Run the Jewels.
