Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), whose real name is Colson Baker, revealed that he was considered for a role as a vampire in Ryan Coogler’s 2025 horror film Sinners but turned down the audition due to a script requirement to use a racial slur, specifically the n-word. The role in question was likely Bert, a KKK member who becomes a vampire, ultimately played by Peter Dreimanis. MGK stated on The Pat McAfee Show on July 31, 2025, that he refused to say the slur during the audition, saying, “In the audition, he has to say the ‘n-word’ and I just wouldn’t do it.” This decision aligned with his personal principles, despite his expressed desire to further his acting career. The film, a box office hit grossing over $45 million domestically, features a star-studded cast including Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld, and explores themes of racism and cultural appropriation through its vampire narrative.