Film actor Leonardo DiCaprio has been a heartthrob for over 10 years, winning over the hearts of women everywhere after appearing in the 1997 blockbuster hit, Titanic. DiCaprio, though, has always shied away from being known as a heartthrob or a sex symbol. He was once easily embarrassed in interviews about such things and is often tight lipped about his personal life and relationships. This week, FOX News reported that DiCaprio wanted to officially pass the torch of America’s favorite heartthrob on to High School Musical’s Zac Efron. While it seemed like a nice gesture, there was just one problem. The story was completely fabricated.

FOX News reported that DiCaprio said that he had “total respect” for Efron and the way he handles fame and his career. "I look at young Zac Efron and think, 'Go get it pal, leave me in peace,' " FOX quoted DiCaprio as saying at his Body of Lies movie premiere in London. "I was never happy with the teen idol tag at all—never wanted to be a sex symbol or all that stuff—it was the work that appealed to me. Really nothing else."

DiCaprio’s rep called the story "100 percent made up” and soon after, the story was removed from FOX’s website. "Leo never talked to this guy," his publicist told E! News, calling the quotes “made up”. The original story was reported by news outlets around the world before being retracted.

Whether or not the title is officially passed on or not is irrelevant. Zac Efron was named the "the new American heart throb" by Rolling Stone magazine and needs no endorsement from fellow celebs.  FOX News has yet to comment on the story or the interviewer who fabricated quotes.


- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
Source: E! Online, Just Jared
(Image courtesy of IMDB)