The Singer and Actress Clarifies Her Position, Expressing Support for Marginalized Communities Amid Social Media Controversy
Nicole Scherzinger, the renowned actress and singer currently starring in Sunset Boulevard on Broadway, issued a public apology this week after a social media comment she made sparked widespread backlash. The controversy began when Scherzinger engaged with a post from comedian Russell Brand, who shared a photo of a red baseball cap emblazoned with the phrase “Make Jesus First Again.” Scherzinger’s comment, “Where do I get this hat!!!?” was initially perceived by some as a tacit endorsement of former President Donald Trump, leading to heated reactions from social media users.
Amid the growing criticism, Scherzinger swiftly deleted her comment and posted an apology on her Instagram Stories. “I deeply apologize for the hurt caused by my recent engagement with some social media posts,” she wrote, acknowledging that her remark could be easily misinterpreted as politically charged. Scherzinger explained that she did not fully realize the potential political connotations of her comment and expressed regret for any distress it may have caused.
In her statement, Scherzinger sought to clarify her values, emphasizing that the assumptions drawn from her comment did not reflect her beliefs, political views, or personal history. “Many presumptions are being drawn, which do not reflect who I am, what I stand for, or who I voted for,” she said. Scherzinger also made it clear that she stands with marginalized communities and has always advocated for their rights and well-being throughout her career. “I stand with them, as I always have,” she affirmed, in an effort to quell any concerns from those who may have felt hurt by the incident.
Scherzinger further explained that her interaction with Brand’s post was not meant to signal political support but was instead inspired by her faith. “I believed that the posts I engaged with were about encouraging people to choose love and faith — ‘putting Jesus first,'” she wrote. She described how Christ, for her, embodies qualities of peace, compassion, hope, and unconditional love, especially for those who might feel marginalized or vulnerable in times of adversity.
Alongside the comment on Brand’s post, Scherzinger faced additional scrutiny over a like she allegedly gave to an Instagram post by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in which he expressed support for Trump’s presidential bid. This led to further questions about Scherzinger’s political leanings, especially when resurfacing details of a 2016 interview in which she spoke about her personal beliefs on abortion. In the interview, Scherzinger revealed that she almost turned down a role in the 2017 Dirty Dancing remake due to her opposition to the film’s storyline, which featured an illegal abortion. Despite this, Scherzinger took the role in the hopes of using it as a platform to influence others positively.
Despite the controversy, Scherzinger has made it clear that her core message is one of love and unity, guided by her faith and commitment to supporting those in need. As she navigates the fallout from the incident, the apology underscores her desire to move forward with a renewed focus on compassion and understanding.
