Nov 9
Nicole Scherzinger Issues Apology for Supportive Comment on Russell Brand Post
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Former "Pussycat Dolls" lead singer Nicole Scherzinger has issued an apology for a remark she made earlier this week that some thought indicated her support for President-elect Donald Trump and MAGA politics.
The actor sparked outrage when she gave her approval to a MAGA-type hat brandished by British actor Russell Brand in a post Brand made, People Magazine reported.
Scherzinger, who is seen as a strong Tony Award contender for her starring role in the musical stage version of "Sunset Blvd.," has been a longtime supporter of LGBTQ+ equality. Even so, she responded to "a post by Russell Brand in which he flashes a red hat reading 'Make Jesus First Again,'" Variety reported.
"Posted in the hours ahead of the U.S. presidential election, Brand captioned the post 'God Bless America,'" Variety added.
Scherzinger replied with, "Where do I get this hat?" and illustrated her comment with "a prayer hands emoji and a red heart emoji," Variety noted.
"Social media users quickly interpreted the message as pro-MAGA," People relayed. "Others criticized her for engaging with Brand, who was accused of rape, sexual assault and physical and emotional abuse by five women in September 2023.
"Brand has denied the allegations."
Taking to Instagram Stories on Nov. 8, Scherzinger apologized "for the hurt caused by my recent engagement with some social media posts," People reported, going on to explain that she took the hat's message at face value.
"Like so many others, in times of adversity and uncertainty, I turn to my faith," Scherzinger posted. "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."
Scherzinger wrote that when she replied to Brand's post, she "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."
Added Scherzinger: ""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 more now than ever."
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
