Singer and actor Nicole Scherzinger, who is currently starring in Sunset Boulevard on Broadway, has come under fire after she left a comment on a Russell Brand Instagram post praising former President Donald Trump's election win.
Scherzinger reacted to a photo of Brand—a Trump acolyte who has been under police investigation following allegations of rape and sexual assault—holding a red hat that says “Make Jesus First Again.” Brand shared the photo Tuesday, celebrating Trump with the caption “God Bless America.” The hat mirrors Trump’s red “Make America Great Again” hats.
“Where do I get this hat!!!?” Scherzinger replied, adding a prayer hands and heart emoji.
You can see it below.
@russellbrand/Instagram; nicolescherzinger/Instagram
Scherzinger's post swiftly drew attention, in large part because she is currently starring as Norma Desmond in the Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard.
Scherzinger, who won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Desmond in last year's West End revival, is widely considered the favorite to win the coveted Best Actress in a Musical prize at next year's Tony Awards, though critics have joked that her chances of winning the award are now in jeopardy.
Scherzinger later posted an Instagram story responding to the controversy though in her remarks she did not specify who she voted for.
She wrote:
"I deeply apologize for the hurt caused by my recent engagement with some social media posts. When I commented on these posts, I made the mistake of not realizing that they could be easily interpreted as being politically related and I apologize to anyone who understandably reached that conclusion."
"Many presumptions are being drawn, which do not reflect who I am, what I stand for, or who I voted for. Many of the marginalized communities feeling hurt or concerned by the results of the presidential election are people I care about most. I stand with them, as I always have, throughout my life and career. If you know me, you know that."
"Like so many others, in times of adversity and uncertainty, I turn to my faith. I believed that the posts I engaged with were about encouraging people to choose love and faith — "putting Jesus first." For me Christ embodies peace, compassion, hope and — above all — unconditional love, especially for those who may feel it the least right now."
"I come from a place of love, and I will always support values that bring us closer together. It's so important we come together with compassion, and love one another now more than ever."
You can see her response below.
@nicolescherzinger/Instagram
But people weren't buying it.
The Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard opened late last month.
With next year's Tonys sure to be a politically charged event considering a second Trump administration's impact on marginalized communities—like LGBTQs who are well-represented in the theater scene—one wonders what impact this might have on her Tony chances if any.
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