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Jessica Chastain Explains Why She Wore Masks To Awards Shows Despite Conservative Backlash
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.
\u201cWearing a mask to protect ourselves and others during an airborne pandemic is \ud83d\udd25 thanks for being a leader, @jes_chastain. https://t.co/7guYAay3HW\u201d— Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n (@Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n) 1685918962
\u201c@joaquinlife @jes_chastain Love Jessica. She showed great strength of character which is the most important part.\n\nI wish other actors had her soul.\u201d— Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n (@Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n) 1685918962
\u201c@joaquinlife @jes_chastain Thank you @jes_chastain\u201d— Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n (@Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n) 1685918962
\u201c@joaquinlife @jes_chastain Good for her. I still mask indoors & have not yet contracted Covid. At this point, I don\u2019t care what anyone else does and what I choose to do is nobody\u2019s business.\u201d— Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n (@Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n) 1685918962
\u201c@joaquinlife @jes_chastain Thank you @jes_chastain for taking precautions, no matter what people say. #CovidIsNotOver\u201d— Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n (@Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n) 1685918962
Several also shared their dismay that someone should even have to justify taking protective measures to stay healthy.
\u201c@joaquinlife @jes_chastain Amazing that she has to explain to ANYONE why she\u2019d wear a mask during an airborne, ongoing pandemic that has an affinity for wrecking the lives of women her age. \n\nhttps://t.co/Vo5CCsYij4\u201d— Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n (@Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n) 1685918962
\u201c@rhymeswithvery @danaparish @joaquinlife @jes_chastain Yeah, like, um, I've got laundry to do this week and I would rather not be sick with COVID when I finally get around to it? Nobody needs a special reason to not want to get sick.\u201d— Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n (@Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n) 1685918962
\u201c@joaquinlife @jes_chastain The social pressure not to mask is so high. Good for her AND she should not need to explain her reason.\u201d— Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n (@Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n) 1685918962
\u201c@joaquinlife @jes_chastain Sad to see that wearing a mask during a pandemic needs a lot of courage.\u201d— Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n (@Joaqu\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n) 1685918962
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."