In the heat of the moment, without thinking, we’ve all said something we wish we could take back. But when you do that in the midst of a pandemic and broadcast it on social media to almost 40 MILLION followers – well, that’s a whole new level of regret.
Vanessa Hudgens has issued an apology after she copped backlash for making ‘insensitive’ comments about coronavirus during an Instagram Live. In response to suggestions that shutdowns in the U.S. could last as long as July or August, Hudgens said, “Um, yeah, ‘til July sounds like a bunch of bullsh*t.”
“I’m sorry, but like, it’s a virus, I get it, like I respect it, but at the same time, I’m like, even if everybody gets it, like yeah, people are going to die, which is terrible but like, inevitable.”
Hudgens topped her comments off by saying, “I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this right now.”
The actress was quickly barraged with criticism over her comments. One Twitter user called her message “horrible and heartless,” while others wished she would’ve thought about the immunocompromised people before posting.
Chrissy Teigen ran to Hudgens’ defence, posting to Twitter, “sometimes people, especially famous people, are gonna say really stupid sh*t and so are you.”
“And they, and you, will learn from it and hopefully their history says they’re good. It’s OK,” she wrote. “And at the same time, wow they had a really dumb f*cking moment. But you don’t have to ruin their lives.”
The next day, Hudgens told her fans some of her comments were being “taken out of context,” and that she doesn’t “take the situation lightly.” However, social media users continued to pile on the High School Musical Actress.
She followed up her post with a written apology to her fans, which read, “I’m so sorry for the way I have offended anyone and everyone who has seen the clip from my Instagram Live yesterday.”
“I realise my words were insensitive and not at all appropriate for the situation our country and the world are in right now. This has been a huge wake up call about the significance my words have, now more than ever.”
Vanessa Hudgens’ apology is just that – a wake up call. If anything, her comments – and the backlash she faced for them – is just a lesson in always thinking before you post, or go live on social media. When you have such a powerful platform, and millions of followers tuning in, it’s so important to spread positivity and messages that will help people through this challenging time.
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She ended her apology by writing, “I’m sending safe wishes to everyone to stay safe and healthy during this crazy time.” Perhaps that’s the message she should’ve sent in the first place.
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