James Franco admits he asked out teenage girl

Franco caused controversy on Thursday when screenshots of an apparent conversation between himself and a 17-year-old girl leaked online.

James Franco arrives at a photo call for the film "As I Lay Dying" during the 66th annual Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 20, 2013. UPI/David Silpa
NEW YORK, April 4 (UPI) -- James Franco has spoken out and confirmed that he recently asked out a teenage girl.

The 35-year-old actor caused controversy on Thursday when screenshots of an apparent conversation between himself and 17-year-old Lucy Clode appeared online. Clode and her mother were visiting from Scotland, and the girl met Franco after his Of Mice & Men Broadway show.

The actor allegedly asked Clode to meet up with him after the two snapped pictures and photos together outside of the venue. He apparently later asked the girl on Instagram for her age and birthdate after she posted and tagged him in the pictures they took. She truthfully answered 17, and he went on to ask her for her phone number and hotel location.

Franco posted a picture of himself on Instagram that read "Why are you thirsty for underage ones?" after the screenshots of his and Clode's conversation leaked. The photo has since been removed, but his Twitter response to his own self remains -- "I'm not! I hope parents keep their teens away from me. Thank you."