Joaquin Phoenix's confrontation with an audience member at a gig in Miami earlier this week was staged, a source has claimed.

Phoenix, who launched a rap career last year, was reported to have turned on the fan after he began heckling his performance.

In internet video footage, Phoenix can be seen jumping into the audience - but it's not clear whether the confrontation became physical.

Now a source has told the New York Post that Phoenix's response was “completely staged” as part of a forthcoming documentary by director Casey Affleck, who was filming the show.

The witness added: "It was a fake fight. Nobody threw a punch. They were just holding onto each other."

Affleck, Phoenix's brother-in-law, was also filming the actor's debut gig in Las Vegas in January, where he fell from the stage.

Phoenix's sudden transformation from acclaimed actor into rapper has been widely scrutinised by the media – and prompted widespread speculation that it is part of a hoax.

As well as inconsistent live shows, the rapper has also appeared incoherent during interviews.

Despite the claims, the former actor has insisted that his new music career is genuine.

(by Jason Gregory)