Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth is addressing mounting criticism after posting what many saw as a sympathetic message about right‑wing activist Charlie Kirk following his murder on Sept. 10. The actress, known for her Christian faith and her vocal support for the LGBTQ+ community, says she deeply regrets the pain caused by her words.
Shortly after Kirk’s death, Chenoweth commented under one of his last Instagram posts: “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.”
Her comment struck many followers as controversial given Kirk’s history of opposing same‑sex marriage, trans rights and other policies often challenged by LGBTQ+ activists.
In the wake of the post, Chenoweth drew strong reactions, particularly from fans within the LGBTQ+ community. Many questioned what “perspectives” she was referring to, especially given Kirk’s longstanding political positions.
On Sept. 18, Chenoweth spoke with theater reporter Frank DiLella of NY1’s Spectrum News to explain her post. She appeared emotional in the interview. “I’m sorry if emotion gets involved here, forgive me,” she said.
She explained that, after seeing the viral video of Kirk’s death and reading reactions online, she had a moment of reflection. “I saw what happened online with my own eyes and I had a human moment of reflection right then. I came to understand that my comment hurt some folks and that hurt me so bad.”
Chenoweth emphasized that her personal faith and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights are both central to her identity. “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.”
When asked about the mixed reactions on social media, she paused, visibly affected, then countered: “Mixed? You’re being kind.”
The Broader Context
Chenoweth is preparing to star in The Queen of Versailles, a new Broadway musical set to begin performances Oct. 8 at the St. James Theatre, with its official opening on Nov. 9. The role marks her first headlining part in a musical since On the Twentieth Century in 2015.
Her volunteer role as both cast member and producer for Queen of Versailles puts a spotlight on how her public profile intersects with her activism, public statements, and personal beliefs. The controversy around the Kirk post suggests how fraught that intersection can be—especially when dealing with polarizing political figures.
While many fans have been hurt or confused by her comment, others have defended her right to express grief for a human being, even one whose political views they oppose. The debate reflects broader questions about how public figures navigate grief, faith, and politics in a polarized culture.
Kristin Chenoweth’s journey through this controversy underscores a reality for many public figures: once a comment goes public, it takes on a life of its own, sometimes in ways the speaker never anticipated.
Chenoweth told Spectrum News, “I came to understand that my comment hurt some folks and that hurt me so bad.”
As The Queen of Versailles opens and her Broadway presence returns in a major way, Chenoweth enters a moment where her roles on stage and off are under sharper scrutiny than ever. How she continues to balance her beliefs, her large and diverse fan base, and her convictions will likely influence conversations in both the theater world and the LGBTQ+ community.
