Filipino American pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo has recently used her voice and her platform once again as she spoke out strongly against ABC’s decision to suspend “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” calling the move an attack on free expression and a dangerous precedent for the entertainment industry.
The award-winning Grammy singer took to Instagram to voice her outrage after the late-night program, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for over two decades, was abruptly pulled from the air.
Rodrigo reposted a statement from SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents more than 160,000 media professionals and added her own thoughts in a pointed message, writing, “so upset over this blatant censorship and abuse of power. I stand with Jimmy Kimmel and I stand for freedom of speech.”
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Her remarks follow mounting backlash in Hollywood after Kimmel’s show was sidelined in response to his comments about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
On the broadcast, Kimmel remarked that the US had “hit some new lows” as political groups scrambled to spin the killing. He accused members of the MAGA movement of desperately trying to paint the shooter as anyone but one of their own and of exploiting the tragedy for political points.
Rodrigo’s decision to weigh in highlights how the controversy has spilled beyond late-night television, drawing in musicians, actors and other public figures concerned about the broader implications for artistic expression.
SAG-AFTRA itself has been vocal in condemning the suspension. In a statement shared earlier this week, the organization said the network’s action represents “the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms.”
The union emphasized that democracy depends on diverse perspectives being heard and defended the rights of artists to speak openly, even when their views are controversial.
“SAG-AFTRA stands with all media artists and defends their right to express their diverse points of view, and everyone’s right to hear them,” the statement added.
The post Olivia Rodrigo calls Jimmy Kimmel suspension ‘blatant censorship’ appeared first on USNewsRank.
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