Hollywood star Amanda Seyfried has shared a clarification on social media after receiving criticism for a comment she made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was recently killed in a shooting.
The ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Jennifer’s Body’ actor had commented on an Instagram video that featured a collection of Kirk’s controversial past statements.
The clip showed him making remarks that attacked Black women, immigrants, and transgender people, while also mocking the idea of empathy and criticizing birth control. Under that video, Seyfried wrote a short comment: “He was hateful.”
That single remark sparked backlash online. Some accused the actor of being insensitive following Kirk’s death.
On Wednesday, Amanda Seyfried decided to set the record straight with a detailed statement posted on Instagram. In her note, she reminded people that there is an important difference between strongly disagreeing with someone’s views and celebrating their death.
Also Read: Trump declares ‘Antifa’ a ‘major terrorist organisation’ days after Charlie Kirk assassination
“We’re forgetting the nuance of humanity,” her statement began. She explained that she could both be angry about what she described as “misogyny and racist rhetoric” in Kirk’s public comments ‘and’ at the same time see his murder as “absolutely disturbing and deplorable in every way imaginable.”
“No one should have to experience this level of violence,” Seyfried continued, pointing out that the United States is facing far too many violent tragedies. “This country is grieving too many senseless and violent deaths and shootings. Can we agree on that at least?”
She also clarified her intentions in the caption of the post. “I don’t want to add fuel to a fire,” she wrote. “I just want to be able to give clarity to something so irresponsibly (but understandably) taken out of context. Spirited discourse – isn’t that what we should be having?”
Charlie Kirk, who founded the conservative group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed last Wednesday. He was attending an event at Utah Valley University.
Police quickly identified Tyler Robinson as the suspect. Robinson was arrested two days later and has since been charged with aggravated murder and several related offenses.