Red Hot Chili Peppers Call Out Netflix Documentary

The Red Hot Chili Peppers distanced themselves from an upcoming Netflix documentary about the band, telling fans Feb. 1 they had “nothing to do with it.”

The iconic rock band current lineup — lead singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith — claimed on Instagram that the project was deceptively advertised. They claimed they agreed to an interview about the founding member of the group, but didn’t authorize Netflix to frame the documentary titled “The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers” around the band and advertise it as such.

“Dear people of the universe, About a year ago, we were asked to be interviewed for a documentary about Hillel Slovak,” their statement read.

“He was a founding member of the group, a great guitarist, and friend.”

“We agreed to be interviewed out of love and respect for Hillel and his memory,” the group continued. “However, this documentary is now being advertised as a Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary, which it is not.”

They pushed back further against the streaming giant. “We had nothing to do with it creatively. We have yet to make a Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary,” they wrote, making it clear that they didn’t want the Netflix production to be perceived as their own.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers noted that their love for their former bandmate runs deep, and they support the tribute to his memory, but simply don’t want this to be mistaken as a film they backed or produced.

“The central subject of this current Netflix special is Hillel Slovak and we hope it sparks interest in him and his work,” their statement read.

Slovak died of an accidental overdose in 1988 at the age of 26.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 30: (L-R) Chad Smith, Anthony Kiedis, Flea, and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers attend the FIREAID Benefit Concert for California Fire Relief at The Kia Forum on January 30, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for FIREAID)

“The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers” was directed by Ben Feldman and is slated for a March 20 release, Variety first reported.

The documentary looks at the gritty early period of the Los Angeles-based band and the role of Slovak, their first guitarist, according to the outlet. (RELATED: ‘Melania’ Earns $8 Million Opening Weekend, Marking Best Documentary Debut In Over 10 Years)

The band said they would appreciate the documentary regardless out of love for Slovak and their fans in the caption of their Instagram post.