This High-Profile Celeb Sadly Thinks Coronavirus Is A Hoax
The seriousness of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is no joke. As the virus continues to spread to various countries on a global scale, the public has begun going through extreme measures to self-quarantine, the art of social distancing has become the norm, and of course, we've all been meticulously washing our hands.
While some celebrities have been dishing out solid advice to their fans and urging them to take the pandemic seriously, others have been, well, not so helpful. From NBA player Rudy Gobert's jaw-droppingly ignorant moment of touching every microphone at a press conference and then later testing positive for the virus, to O.J. Simpson stockpiling on toilet paper (which we all know by now is something we should not be doing), it looks like even Hollywood is filled with folks who should be taking things a bit more seriously.
Although COVID-19 can affect anyone (it's worth noting that most cases are mild), there is one certain A-lister who, unfortunately, seems to think this global pandemic is a sham: Evangeline Lilly. Let's take a look at this high-profile celeb who sadly thinks the coronavirus is a hoax.
Evangeline Lilly doesn't think the coronavirus 'adds up'
Lost starlet Evangeline Lilly made waves on March 6, 2020, when she suddenly took to her Instagram for an incredibly candid post regarding her tumultuous year. "I had such a rough year last year but I didn't want to share all of it with you because I didn't want to be a dark cloud in your world," she began, before later adding, "I often feel alone and unseen."
Well, Lilly was undoubtedly seen and heard loud and clear a few weeks later after the novel coronavirus became a global pandemic. She recently wrote on Instagram, "Just dropped my kids off at gymnastics camp. They all washed their hands before going in. They are playing and laughing. #businessasusual."
As PopCrush reported, "Within minutes, fans flooded her comments section ... and slammed her for being irresponsible," causing the actress to announce her family won't be self-quarantining. "I think we all need to slow down, take a breath and look at the facts we are being presented with," Lilly wrote. "They do not add up to the all-out, global lockdown, control, pandemoniac and insanity we are experiencing." Oh boy.
Claiming that she values "freedom over [her life]," the post naturally infuriated her fans. As one user wrote, "Imagine being this privileged and selfish," (via We Got This Covered). Although it's unclear Lilly's intended takeaway in sharing the post or how she's feeling following the backlash, making light of COVID-19 can definitely come across as insensitive.
Sophie Turner has some strong words for Evangeline Lilly
Evangeline Lilly's stance on the novel coronavirus pandemic was met with an influx of criticism from the public, even drawing the attention of some high-profile celebs, too.
Game of Thrones starlet Sophie Turner took to her Instagram (via Elle) on March 20, 2020 to livestream some strong words to all the COVID-19 naysayers — and many believe she took a direct shot at the Ant-Man actress. "Stay inside. Don't be f***ing stupid, even if you count your 'freedom' over (I don't know, what is it?) your health," she cautioned her viewers. "I don't give a Fffff about your freedom, you could be infecting other people, other vulnerable people around you by doing this. So stay inside, guys."
Naturally, fans were overjoyed at the stance Turner was taking. "I'm living for Sophie Turner dragging Evangeline Lilly and Vanessa Hudgens after they said the coronavirus quarantine is overdramatic and they value their freedoms over their health. Sophie did not come to play," wrote one Twitter user. Considering Turner's GoT character, Sansa Stark, went from being "a brat to a badass," as gushed about by Decider, she's definitely taking some pointers from her tough on-screen persona.
Evangeline Lilly isn't the only star with a relaxed approach to the virus
While Evangeline Lilly's laissez-faire approach to the novel coronavirus pandemic has left some fans hurt and upset, she's not the only A-lister making waves with her opinions.
On March 16, 2020, High School Musical alum Vanessa Hudgens posted a bewilderingly insensitive livestream on her Instagram page (via E! News), where she declared (hair flip and all), "'Till July sounds like a bunch of bullsh*t. I'm sorry, but like, it's a virus. I get it. I respect it. But at the same time, even if everybody gets it, like, yeah, people are gonna die, which is terrible but inevitable." She added, "I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't be doing this right now." Like, maybe she probably shouldn't have.
Since posting the video, Hudgens, of course, had to backtrack with an apology. Taking to her Twitter, the actress shared, "I'm so sorry for the way I have offended anyone and everyone who has seen the clip from my Instagram Live yesterday," adding, "I realize my words were insensitive and not at all appropriate for the situation our country and the world are in right now." Unfortunately for Hudgens, the damage was already done, and as one Twitter user harshly (albeit jokingly) put it, "Can't believe the first COVID celebrity death was Vanessa Hudgens' career."
As for Lilly, she has yet to offer any further statement after the backlash.