“High School Musical” star Vanessa Hudgens, 31, is apologizing for the “insensitive” remarks that she made in a previous live Instagram post in which the actress appeared to dismiss the seriousness of coronavirus.
In the video posted on Monday, Hudgens says:
“I’m sorry, but like, it’s a virus, I get it. I respect it. But at the same time, like, even if everybody gets it, like, yeah, people are going to die. Which is terrible, but like, inevitable?”
See Hudgens’ previous Instagram post below:
Vanessa Hudgens was doing great when she was just moaning.
— Salim (Popstar ⭐️) (@adidasspapurse) March 18, 2020
Also “it’s a virus, I get it, I respect it” is sending me. pic.twitter.com/R6gILcEdjk
On Tuesday, Hudgens responded to the backlash over her comments by sharing a tweet to assure her followers that she is “not taking the situation lightly.”
“I’m so sorry for the way I have offended anyone and everyone who has seen the clip from my Instagram live yesterday. I realize my words were insensitive and not at all appropriate for the situation our country and the world are in right now.”
She continued, “This has been a huge wake up call about the significance my words have, now more than ever.”
See Hudgens tweet below:
— Vanessa Hudgens (@VanessaHudgens) March 17, 2020
Hudgens’ social media rant was seemingly inspired by President Donald Trump’s warning that the coronavirus pandemic could continue as late as July or August.
In the original Instagram post, Hudgens offered her insight, saying, “Til July sounds like a bunch of bulls**t.”
In recent weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with government officials, have been encouraging “social distancing,” including avoiding large public gatherings, to help curb the spread of the virus.
On March 13, Trump declared the coronavirus a national emergency, after the World Health Organization officially labeled the virus a pandemic.
There are at least 220,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus globally, and 9,400 in the U.S., as of Thursday morning.
