Terrence Howard turned down the opportunity to play Marvin Gaye over speculation that the late soul icon was queer.

The actor was a guest on Bill Maher’s “Club Random Podcast,” which was posted on Sunday, April 27, and around the 1:20:00 mark, revealed that Quincy Jones confirmed Gaye’s sexuality. Howard was in talks with filmmaker Lee Daniels about starring in the biopic, and even declined a role as Smokey Robinson.

“I was over at Quincy Jones’ house and I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay’ and I’m like, ‘Was he gay?’” Howard said. “And Quincy’s like, ‘Yes.'”

The former Empire star went on to say that he “wouldn’t have been able to do that,” meaning portray a gay man and potentially kiss men in scenes. 

“That would f**k me,” Howard continued. “I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off.”

Howard has recently been more vocal about homosexuality in Hollywood, alleging that Diddy once approached him for acting advice. The actor’s assistant would later claim that the rapper and music mogul wanted to sleep with him.