Celebrity2 min(s) read
Published 16:19 16 Jun 2026 GMT
Amanda Seyfried defends herself after Charlie Kirk comment sparked controversy
Amanda Seyfried has spoken out about the criticism she faced after describing late conservative activist Charlie Kirk as "hateful" on social media, insisting she has every right to express her views.
The Mean Girls actor, 40, found herself at the center of controversy after commenting on an Instagram video that highlighted some of Kirk's most debated public statements following his death last year at age 31. The comment drew criticism from many of Kirk's supporters.
The actor addresses the controversy around her comments
Speaking to British GQ, Seyfried stood by her decision to share her opinion.
“I’m allowed to f**** voice my feelings, and B, do it in a way that’s not unkind necessarily,”** she claimed.
Reflecting on the divisive reaction she received, Seyfried argued that public discourse has become increasingly aggressive towards her.
“But there’s just an outsized fear and hatred and impulse to bash and to tear down. And I experienced a very small fraction of that,” she explained.
Reflecting on the effect the backlash has had on her
The actress also revealed that the fallout affected her personal life more than she expected. As a mother, she said the experience reinforced her belief that people should be able to express their opinions without fear, provided those opinions are not harmful.
“I want my kids to be able to feel safe to voice their opinions as long as they’re not harmful,” Seyfried said. “So I’m like, ‘what do I do? What do I say?’, and then all of a sudden I find myself with a f***** bodyguard at the airport and I’m like, ‘this is crazy’.”**
In an Instagram post on September 17, Seyfried wrote that she can get "angry about misogyny and racist rhetoric." However, she can also very much agree that Kirk's assassination was "absolutely disturbing and deplorable in every way imaginable.”
She continued: "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?"