The Academy Award-winning actor steps it up a notch. Kevin Spacey selfie with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto is stirring controversy in recent news.

Spacey, who plays the lead in "House of Cards,"denies reports that he was paid an astounding eight million dollars to accommodate an event appearance, a meet-and-greet, and a photo opportunity with the Mexican President. The actor's character in the running TV series deals with political payoffs and maneuvering.

Mexico's tourism board made an official confirmation about the payment, but the actual amount wasn't disclosed. The selfie photo of Spacey and Nieto was taken earlier this month, in Cancun.

Spacey denies the reports, and in a tweet: "Story about Mex Gov paying 8m or any amount for selfie not true!" The actor was present in Cancun for a tourism event, and maintains that "Meeting President not planned at all." (tmz.com)

In a Forbes article, the Kevin Spacey selfie was an afterthought of events following the actor's speech at a Cancun tourist fair, May 6. He was paid for the appearance and the speech before being introduced to President Nieto for a short talk. Spacey shared the selfie photo to his 3.38 million Twitter followers.

Columnist Salvador García Soto reported on the local website that the actor was paid eight million dollars for the affair. Rodolfo López Negrete Coppel of the Mexican Tourism Board denies that such an amount has been exchanged.

The budget for the Tianguis Tourism Fair where Spacey attended was estimated at 3.5 million dollars, part of which was financed through ads and ticket sales. Whether Spacey's fee was included in the cost was not confirmed.

Mexico's tourism campaign previously involved other high-profile celebrities, notably Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, and Sylvester Stallone. The goal was to promote a safe community where foreigners can visit at their own leisure.

The Kevin Spacey selfie hits controversy in light of the actor's role in "House of Cards," as US President Francis Underwood.