Actress Amanda Seyfried has doubled down on her controversial comments made in the immediate aftermath of the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk, asserting in a new interview that she refuses to apologize for calling him “hateful.” Her initial remarks, posted to social media in September, drew a fierce backlash that placed the Mamma Mia star at the center of a national debate over free speech, political rhetoric, and appropriate decorum following a tragedy.
Charlie Kirk’s death on September 10 sent shockwaves across the world, prompting widely disparate reactions. While many praised the conservative activist for his bravery and willingness to speak his mind, others harshly criticized his influence, accusing him of promoting division rather than inclusion. Several celebrities weighed in, including Jamie Lee Curtis, who was later compelled to clarify her own statements.
Amanda Seyfried was among the most outspoken. The actress used her Instagram platform to label Kirk “hateful,” an accusation that immediately drew significant criticism and intense personal attacks aimed at the star.
Defending the Nuance of Humanity
A week after Kirk’s death, facing the torrent of criticism, Seyfried attempted to condemn the killing while simultaneously denouncing Kirk’s long-standing public opinions.
“We’re forgetting the nuance of humanity,” Seyfried wrote in an extended post. “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.”
She sought common ground amidst the outrage, adding, “No one should have to experience this level of violence. This country is grieving too many senseless and violent deaths and shootings. Can we agree on that at least?”
In the caption accompanying the post, Seyfried sought to provide clarity, stating, “I don’t want to add fuel to a fire. 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?”
‘I’m Not F***ing Apologizing for That’
Now, two months later, Seyfried has firmly reiterated her stance. In an interview published Wednesday by Who What Wear, the subject of the controversy arose, and the actress confirmed she has no intention of retracting her words.
“I’m not fing apologizing for that. I mean, for f** sake, I commented on one thing,”** she told the outlet, defending the accuracy of her statement. “I said something that was based on actual reality and actual footage and actual quotes. What I said was pretty damn factual, and I’m free to have an opinion, of course,” she insisted.
The actress admitted she had briefly considered deleting her original comment but ultimately decided to leave it for public scrutiny. She acknowledged that the hateful messages she received in return were so intense that her family and friends expressed serious concerns for her personal safety.
Seyfried credits Instagram with allowing her to fight back against the sudden rush of condemnation. “Thank God for Instagram. I was able to give some clarity, and it was about getting my voice back because I felt like it had been stolen and recontextualized — which is what people do, of course,” she added.
