Kristin Chenoweth tearfully addresses backlash over Charlie Kirk tribute
Kristin Chenoweth’s Charlie Kirk tribute wasn’t popular with fans.
The Broadway star teared up on Thursday while speaking to NY1’s Frank DiLella about her controversial Instagram comment sharing how “upset” she felt by the conservative commentator’s assassination.
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When the reporter brought up the “mixed reactions,” the actress, 57, replied, “Mixed? You’re being kind.”
DiLella mentioned Chenoweth’s “big LGBTQ+ fan base,” asking what she hoped to “convey” by posting about her “heartbreak” over Kirk, who “openly opposed same-sex marriage [and] trans rights.”
The Tony winner immediately began tearing up and apologized for her “emotions get[ting] involved” in the interview.
“I saw what happened online with my own eyes and I had a human moment of reflection right then,” Chenoweth said, referencing the viral — and graphic — video of Kirk being shot at Utah Valley University.
“I came to understand that my comment hurt some folks and that hurt me so badly. I would never,” she acknowledged.
“It’s no secret that I’m a Christian, that I’m a person of faith. It’s also no secret that I am an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and for some, that doesn’t go together. But for me, it always has and it always will.”
The Emmy winner, who did not elaborate further, went on to share excitement over her upcoming Broadway show, “The Queen of Versailles.”
In Chenoweth’s comment mourning Kirk, she wrote about not “always agree[ing with him] but appreciat[ing] some perspectives.”
The “West Wing” alum concluded, “What a heartbreak. His young family. I know where he is now. Heaven. But still.”
She also called the fatal shooting a “sad, senseless and disgusting act” via Instagram Stories.
Charlie is survived by wife Erika Kirk and their two children.
Chris Pratt, Savannah Chrisley and more celebrities have honored Charlie since his passing.
Jamie Lee Curtis, for her part, made headlines for crying over the tragedy in a “WTF With Marc Maron” interview while explaining she “disagreed with … almost every point” the “man of faith” made.
As for Amanda Seyfried, she called the late Turning Point USA co-founder “hateful” via Instagram over the weekend — and clarified the “nuance” in her upload Wednesday.
“I can get angry about misogyny and racist rhetoric and ALSO very much agree that Charlie Kirk’s murder was absolutely disturbing and deplorable in every way imaginable,” the “Mamma Mia!” star told her followers.
“No one should have to experience this level of violence,” she continued. “This country is grieving too many senseless and violent deaths and shootings. Can we agree on that at least?”
The Golden Globe winner did not wish to “add fuel to the fire” but instead hoped to inspire “spirited discourse.”
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