Chrissy Teigen appears to have stepped in to defend Vanessa Hudgens after her comments about people dying from the coronavirus caused a huge online backlash.
Speaking on Instagram live earlier this week, Vanessa said: "It's a virus. I get it, I respect it. But at the same time, like, even if everybody gets it, like yeah, people are gonna die, which is terrible, but like, inevitable?"
When you tweet a video and end it with “maybe I shouldn’t be saying this” that’s normally a sign that you shouldn’t #VanessaHudgens #COVID19
Following an immediate backlash, Vanessa gave the first of two apologies, saying that her comments had been taken out of context.
Vanessa Hudgens responds to the backlash, saying her comments were taken out of context.
"I realised today that some of my comments are being taken out of context" she said. "It's a crazy time. It's a crazy, crazy time and I am at home and in lockdown, and that's what I hope you guys are doing too — in full quarantine, and staying safe and sane."
"I don't take the situation lightly by any means," the High School Musical actor concluded. "I am home. So, stay inside y'all."
However, when that apology caused further backlash, Vanessa took to social media again, this time with a written apology calling her comments "insensitive and not at all appropriate".
Well, seeing the backlash to the comments herself, Chrissy Teigen stepped in to seemingly defend Vanessa.
Appearing to acknowledge that she didn't necessarily agree with Vanessa's comments, Chrissy said that people "will learn" from their mistakes and that their lives shouldn't be ruined as a result.
sometimes people, especially famous people, are gonna say really stupid shit. & so are you. and they, and u, will learn from it & hopefully their history says they’re good. it’s ok. and at the same time, wow they really had a dumb fuckin moment. but u don’t have ruin their lives
Naming Vanessa specifically, Chrissy continued: "Life is rarely ruined for anyone. But you are damn well trying your best. Just stop."
and no, life is rarely ruined for anyone. but you are damn well trying your best. just stop.
When one person pointed out that celebrities with big platforms should "be more careful and think about the impact their words can have", Chrissy agreed, saying that she herself had learned to take her time and think before sending out a message to her fans.
Totally! But we all have stupid moments and some people (like me) have a lot of passion and things don’t come out the way we mean it. I honestly have gotten so much better at taking my time and thinking before I write/speak though https://t.co/GtRHSQ46Fv
Another person said that they would've appreciated a "real apology" instead of Vanessa saying that her words had been taken out of context. However, Chrissy responded that genuine apologies are often ridiculed and people just assume they are written by a publicist.
You say this, but having been on this end, it’s not really true. Apologies from the heart are “COOL you publicist did@this fuck YOU!!” https://t.co/fvMRKgEfle
When challenged by others, Chrissy stuck to her guns, acknowledging that the comments were insensitive but adding that Vanessa would learn from her mistakes the same way she had.
Definitely agree it was. But we have all said insensitive shit. Or maybe im just the only other one? But I promise promise promise I learned and she is learning now and that’s all you can ask for https://t.co/saLdU1ih3G
Chrissy went on to disagree with people calling out Vanessa's apologies, writing that they could "personally" cancel somebody without having to tweet them over and over again. She added: "It can drive a sane person insane and an unstable person to...worse."
“Apologize the way you want me to” is not it. Just personally, in your heart and remote, cancel them if you’re truly mad. Writing them over and over, the onslaught, it can drive a sane person insane and an unstable person to...worse
When challenged by somebody who said that people could not be held responsible for calling celebrities out for their "insensitive public comments", Chrissy simply replied: "Well we disagree."
"What can I say. Kids and online torture have made me a much more empathetic person," Chrissy continued. "May you never be on the end of everyone hating you."
"You are not gonna talk me into not forgiving people's mistakes," Chrissy concluded. "It makes me clear and makes me happy and I'm gonna be happy. You wanna be angry online all fucking day, go for it."
As for Vanessa, she has yet to say anything further on the backlash. However, she did change her Instagram bio, telling people to stay indoors.
