Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Jessica Chastain Explains Why She Wore Masks To Awards Shows Despite Conservative Backlash

Jessica Chastain
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images

The Oscar winner explained that she wore a mask because she was starring in 'A Doll's House' on Broadway, and felt an obligation to the audience paying to see her.

As COVID restrictions lifted and mask mandates were removed, Jessica Chastain continued to mask up at awards shows even though she was being heavily criticized by conservatives.

While talking to The Hollywood Reporter for their annual Tony Nominees Roundtable, the Oscar-winning actor shared her reasoning, and, no, it wasn't political.


Chastain revealed wearing a mask was not only responsible, but it was also an obligation to fans paying money and traveling from all over the world to attend her Broadway performance in A Doll's House.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye star shared:

"We were testing every day on our show, and even if you had no symptoms, if you tested positive for COVID, you were out for a week - and I was meeting people at the stage door who flew in from Shanghai and flew in from all over the world."
"To be out of the show for a week? It just felt like it was so irresponsible."
"So I was wearing the mask at the Oscars."

She continued, addressing the conservative backlash:

"I got quite a lot of flak for that."
"A lot of people thought I was making some political statement."
"I don't know what they thought."

Many on social media applauded Chastain for speaking out about wearing a mask and for considering others in her decision.



Several also shared their dismay that someone should even have to justify taking protective measures to stay healthy.




Chastain's Doll's House costar Josh Groban who was also present at THR Roundtable acknowledged "theater people" understood why she continued to wear a mask.

She shared her relief and added that a fan at the stage door even gave her a mask that read, "I'm on Broadway," as an explanation to eye rollers.

But the Good Nurse star revealed masking was worth the backlash as she didn't get sick once.

"... the SAG Awards, the Oscars, a lot of people were like, 'What are you doing?!' I just couldn't get sick."
"And I didn't. I haven't missed a show."

More from Trending

Donald Trump; Barack Obama
Suzanne Plunkett-Pool/Getty Images; Scott Olson/Getty Images

Resurfaced Trump Tweet Criticizing Obama Over Iran Comes Back To Bite Him

Amid tensions with Iran, President Donald Trump was criticized for hypocrisy after social media users resurfaced a 2013 tweet in which he accused former President Barack Obama of planning an attack on Iran because of his "inability to negotiate properly."

Trump has declined to clarify whether the U.S. is edging closer to launching strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, following a warning from Iran’s supreme leader against any attack and a rejection of Trump’s demand for surrender.

Keep ReadingShow less
​​Elon Musk
Allison Robbert/AFP via Getty Images

Anti-Elon Banner at Stanford

Stanford University graduates were given creative advice from above as an airplane flew over the graduation ceremony with a banner reading, “CONGRATS! DON’T WORK FOR ELON.”

The moment was captured last Sunday during the university’s 134th Commencement ceremony, where the Class of 2025 received their degrees at Stanford Stadium.

Keep ReadingShow less
Simone Ashley; Brad Pitt in 'F1'
Arnold Jerocki/L'Oreal/Getty Images

'F1' Director Speaks Out After Fan Outrage Over 'Bridgerton' Star's Scenes Getting Cut From Film

Once the F1 Grand Prix bug bites you, it's hard to let the passion and drive for the sport go, and most fans are eager to consume any additional content, from interviews to documentaries to full-length films.

Coming later this month is F1, starring Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, who missed his shot at stardom in a near-fatal accident in the 1990s. Thirty years later, his former team is struggling to succeed and convince him to come back to the track, but this time, he has to learn that it's not something he can do alone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sabrina Carpenter attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Sabrina Carpenter claps back

Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album has caused quite a stir in people's espresso after she revealed the cover art in a post on X.

On June 11th, the American singer posted the image of herself on her hands and knees, wearing a black bodycon dress with a ribbon and black heels. Carpenter’s hand touches the knee of a mystery man wearing a black suit who is seen gripping a lock of the bombshell blonde’s hair.

Keep ReadingShow less
Aubrey Anderson-Emmons
Christopher Polk/Penske Media/Getty Images

'Modern Family' Star Comes Out As Bisexual Using Iconic Clip From The Show

When your breakout role was on something as iconic and nostalgic as Modern Family, of course you'd have to use a moment from the show when you have big news to share.

A favorite moment in the show took place when Mitch and Cam (Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet) were having dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant with their adopted daughter, Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons), and their sister, Gloria (Sofía Vergara). In the scene, Vergara encourages Lily to try the Pho to connect with her family roots because "she's Vietnamese."

Keep ReadingShow less