As the world weathers this crisis together and people are reaching out to comfort, inform, and support each other, many celebrities are failing to strike an empathic chord with their followers. Plenty of publications are even claiming that their responses to coronavirus will be the demise of celebrity culture, as many of the rich and famous are making it difficult to idolize them.
Tilda Swinton kicked off keynote appearance at SXSW on a weird anti-mask sentiment that many are calling unnecessary and hypocritical. The actress said she was pleased to see that the pandemic had gotten to a point where the audience no longer had to wear masks, which would have been fine, but she later added, “I’m about to shoot a picture in Ireland, and I was told to wear a mask at all times, and I’m not.” She noted, "I’m sure this is being recorded,” before emphasizing that she is “very healthy” after having contracted COVID-19 multiple times.
Many have criticized the actress for missing the point, that the mask is also largely for the protection of others, many of whom may not be able to boast such health. Variety also pointed out that in 2022, Swinton spoke to W Magazine about the severity of one of her infections as well as the long COVID symptoms she was continuing to endure, including struggles with memory, which one might think would serve as extra reason not to knock masks.
Click through to see the most widely slammed things celebrities have said or done regarding this pandemic.