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Mike Myers recalls Kanye's Katrina rant: 'I'm very proud to have been next to him'

Nearly 9 years have passed since “Austin Powers” star Mike Myers was dragged into a viral moment with Kanye West, who infamously ranted in a 2005 televised fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina aid that then-president George W. Bush “doesn’t care about black people.”In an eye-opening interview with GQ this month, Myers says he agreed with the spirit of West’s off-script tirade — even thou
Image: Mike Myers, Kanye West
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 23: Mike Myers attends the Vanity Fair Party during the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival at the State Supreme Courthouse on April 23, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival)Getty Images

Nearly 9 years have passed since “Austin Powers” star Mike Myers was dragged into a viral moment with Kanye West, who infamously ranted in a 2005 televised fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina aid that then-president George W. Bush “doesn’t care about black people.”

Image: Mike Myers, Kanye West
Mike Myers told GQ magazine that Kanye West spoke \"a truth\" in criticizing the federal response to Hurricane Katrina.Today

In an eye-opening interview with GQ this month, Myers says he agreed with the spirit of West’s off-script tirade — even though the rapper himself later apologized when Bush called the accusation “one of the most disgusting moments in my presidency.”

“I'm the guy next to the guy who spoke a truth,” Myers told the magazine of his appearance with West in the segment, adding that he wasn't familiar with the musician before the two were paired at the last minute.

Turns out Myers had strong feelings of his own concerning the government's handling of the Katrina disaster, which claimed more than 2,000 lives.

“I remember just being so upset and feeling, ironically, that if this was white people on roofs, the army would be there in five seconds. And these are my fellow citizens, who just happen to be people of color, sitting on roofs for multiple days,” Myers told GQ.

Myers said his stunned expression during West’s rant may have distracted viewers from a valid message. “To have the emphasis on the look on my face versus the fact that somebody spoke truth to power at a time when somebody needed to speak? I'm very proud to have been next to him.”

The actor has had lots of time for self-reflection lately. He’s been enjoying a break from the big screen (“I never get offered anything,” he informed the magazine) and recently wrapped up his directorial debut, "Supermensch," a documentary about multi-talented rock-band manager Shep Gordon.