“It Nearly Broke Me”: Kristin Chenoweth Reveals Pain Over Charlie Kirk Backlash

Broadway and screen star Kristin Chenoweth has opened up about the emotional toll she endured following the massive backlash to her comments about the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. The Tony-winning actress went viral and faced intense criticism from her fanbase, particularly the LGBTQ+ community, after she posted an Instagram comment stating she “appreciated some perspectives” of Kirk, who was known for his far-right views. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Chenoweth confessed that the period was “tough on me” and that the ordeal “nearly broke me,” though she refused to elaborate further, instead appealing to the public’s understanding of her character. The core of the controversy stems from the star, who identifies as a “non-judgmental, liberal Christian” and vocal LGBTQ+ advocate, appearing to align with a figure whose views frequently targeted the community she passionately supports.

The Controversial Instagram Comment

The intense backlash against Kristin Chenoweth was sparked by an online comment she made shortly after the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, the ultra-conservative activist known for his viral “Prove Me Wrong” series, died after being shot during an event in September 2025. Following the news, Chenoweth posted a comment on her own Instagram, writing, “I’m. So. Upset. Didn’t always agree but appreciated some perspectives. What a heartbreak. His young family. I know where he is now. Heaven. But still.” She also posted a similar comment agreeing with actress Selma Blair’s post, which called Kirk an “incredible man” who used “logic to have dialogue.” The phrasing, particularly the line about “appreciated some perspectives,” was interpreted by many of her followers as a validation of Kirk’s frequently anti-LGBTQ+ and extremist views, leading to a massive wave of public anger and disappointment.

The Emotional Toll: A “Nearly Broken” Heart

Kristin Chenoweth has made it clear that the public criticism she received following the incident was emotionally devastating, forcing her to reflect on the impact of her words.

The actress described the period as “tough on me” and directly admitted to The Hollywood Reporter that the backlash “nearly broke me,” but immediately ended the discussion on the matter by stating, “You probably know my heart, so you probably know.” Her subsequent reflection, made during an interview with Spectrum News/NY1, revealed she had a “human moment of reflection” after seeing the online fallout, acknowledging that her comment “hurt some folks and that hurt me so badly.” Her minimal public commentary on the subject suggests a desire to let her history and known advocacy speak for her character, rather than engaging in a protracted public debate.

A Conflict of Identity: Faith and Advocacy

The central source of the public’s confusion and anger stemmed from the perceived contradiction between Chenoweth’s public persona as a devout Christian and her fierce advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.

Chenoweth has long been known as a vocal Christian who also champions LGBTQ+ rights, a stance she has previously referred to as being a “non-judgemental, liberal Christian.” She has used her platform to speak out against discrimination and has an enormous following within the gay community, particularly her Broadway fanbase. The conflict arose because Charlie Kirk’s rhetoric often targeted and vilified the very community Chenoweth champions. The actress addressed this specific dilemma, asserting, “It’s no secret that I’m a Christian, that I’m a person of faith. It’s also no secret that I am an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and for some, that doesn’t go together. But for me, it always has and it always will.”

The Broader Cultural Debate: Jamie Lee Curtis Weighs In

Chenoweth was not the only Hollywood figure to face backlash for comments regarding Kirk’s death, highlighting a broader cultural dilemma about how celebrities should mourn controversial public figures.

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis also faced significant criticism after she expressed tearful sentiments about Kirk’s death on a podcast, saying she “disagreed with him on almost every point” but hoped he felt connected to his faith when he died. Curtis later had to clarify her comments, stressing that they were “mistranslated” and not intended to imply she was talking about him “in a very positive way.” Curtis subsequently commented on the difficulty of navigating the “binary world today,” where public figures are prevented from holding nuanced or contradictory ideas without facing immediate vilification. This reaction mirrors the complex situation that Chenoweth found herself in, underscoring the challenges of expressing empathy for political opponents in today’s polarized media landscape.