After a co-star was booed for a toast in support of trans rights at a Texas restaurant, Will Ferrell reflects on the awkward encounter and regrets his participation.

Will Ferrell expressed regret over his visit to a Texas restaurant following an uncomfortable response from diners to his trans co-star, Harper Steele.

While filming their Netflix documentary "Will & Harper," Ferrell and Steele, a former "Saturday Night Live" head writer, embarked on a 17-day road trip across the country to strengthen their bond and help Steele reintroduce herself to the country as her true self after coming out as transgender in 2022.

According to the New York Times, Steele received an unexpected and uncomfortable response from diners at a Texas restaurant after mentioning that the state hadn't done enough for trans rights.

Steele, originally from Iowa, raised a glass to Texas while dining at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, where he and Ferrell planned to take on the restaurant's famous 72-ounce steak challenge.

Steele's statement, "I wish you guys would do more for trans rights in this state," was met with silence and groans from the audience, according to Chron.

Ferrell added, "Cheers to Texas and trans rights, right?" Although the toast didn't make it into the documentary, Steele and Ferrell shared their responses to the moment afterward.

"Steele said in the film, "I felt uncomfortable in the room, as if my transness was being displayed, which made me feel uneasy.""

"The most disappointing aspect for me is that I felt like I disappointed you in that moment," Ferrell stated.

"Ferrell admitted to not fully understanding the intensity of the situation he and his group were getting themselves into, feeling responsible for not properly vetting it. He was surprised by the large number of people seated in the room and felt unsure of their purpose there."

Steele described the feeling of being "on display" in that moment.

"Steele said, "We gave a little toast, and I mentioned passing a trans bill, and the room responded with a reversal and a boo. A woman shouted out, 'We still love you,' and I hate that phrase. I could be misinterpreting this woman entirely, but I felt that the 'still' in 'They still love me' was conditional. It means they love me only when I give up being trans and surrender my life to Christ. They still love me despite my being a sinner or something.""

"I regretted my decision to attend and felt remorse and guilt for being there."

In an interview with The Independent, Steele had previously criticized the New York Times for being "generally left-leaning, but also sometimes very anti-trans. It’s odd..."

"Steele stated in an interview that he first asks reporters if they believe in him, specifically if they believe he exists and is valid. He does this to start the conversation because many people in the liberal community struggle to accept his existence for various reasons."

Ferrell stated that "transphobia" arises from individuals lacking self-confidence.

"Ferrell stated to The Independent that hatred exists and it's dangerous for trans people in certain situations."

"It's strange to me that Harper is finally becoming who she was always meant to be. Why would you care if someone is happy? If the trans community is a threat to you, it may be because you're not confident or safe with yourself."

Planet Chronicle' Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.