French government faces backlash over decision to grant Clooneys citizenship
PARIS (AP) — Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney obtained French citizenship because they “contribute, through their distinguished actions, to the international influence and cultural reach of France,” the French government said Wednesday, defending their naturalization that was questioned by a French minister.
The naturalizations of the Kentucky-born star of the “Ocean” heist film series, his wife and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, and their twins Ella and Alexander were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees are published.
Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, deputy minister of the Interior Ministry, expressed doubts Wednesday that some of the Clooneys’ new French compatriots might think the star couple received special treatment. The actor only speaks what he himself says is “horrible, horrible” French.
“The message that is being sent is not good,” Vedrenne said in an interview with broadcaster France Info. “There is a question of justice that, in my opinion, is absolutely essential.”
The couple bought a property in France in 2021 and Clooney has said it is their main residence. Non-French residents in France have multiple possible routes to naturalization. It was unclear whether the 64-year-old actor retained his U.S. citizenship.
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His wife, 47, was born in Lebanon, grew up in the United Kingdom and was naturalized in France under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The 8-year-old twins were born in London.
The Foreign Ministry said the Clooneys were eligible for citizenship under a French law that allows naturalization of foreign citizens who contribute to France’s international influence and economic well-being.
He argued that the French film industry will benefit from the actor’s influence as a global movie star and said that, as a lawyer, Amal Clooney regularly works with academic institutions and international organizations in France.
“They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country,” the ministry said.
“Like many French citizens, we are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney to the national community,” he concluded, giving the actor’s name a French touch by adding the “s” at the end.
The decision was also defended by Vedrenne’s superior in the Ministry of the Interior, Laurent Núñez, who said he signed the naturalization decree.
“It’s a great opportunity for our country,” he said.
In recent media interviews, when he was promoting “Jay Kelly,” Clooney said he is trying to teach himself French using a language learning app. He said his wife and children speak the language perfectly.
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“They speak French in front of me so they can say terrible things about me to my face and I don’t know it,” he joked in statements to French broadcaster Canal+.
French media have reported that the Clooneys live part-time in their luxurious 18th-century villa outside the southern French town of Brignoles, where they can keep a low profile and their children are protected from unauthorized photographs by French privacy laws.
In an interview with Esquire in October, Clooney said, “I was worried about raising our children in Los Angeles, in the culture of Hollywood.”
“I don’t want them running around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them comparing them to someone else’s famous kids,” he said. Growing up far from the spotlight in France, “they have dinner with adults and have to take the dishes home. They have a much better life.”