Kristin Chenoweth on Charlie Kirk Tribute Criticism: “I Had a Human Moment of Reflection”

Kristin Chenoweth is speaking out about the criticism she faced for posting a tribute following Charlie Kirk‘s death, and she said that she understood that mourning his death on social media “hurt some folks” in the LGBTQ+ community, which she said “hurt” her.

After Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, Chenoweth took to her Instagram Stories to react to the news. “What a heartbreak. His young family. I know where he is now. Heaven. But still,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories, according to Page Six. She then added that she may not have always agreed with Kirk’s ideologies, though she was able to appreciate “some perspectives” of his.

“Such a sad, senseless and disgusting act!” she continued of the shooting. “Wow … prayers for the Kirk family and prayers for our nation.”

After she faced some backlash for the tribute, Chenoweth reacted to the criticism during an interview with NY1 on Thursday when Frank DiLella pointed out that she had a large “LGBTQ+ fanbase.” He continued, “For members and allies in the LGBTQ+ community, Charlie was a controversial figure. He opposed same-sex marriage, trans rights. What were you hoping to convey with that post?”

“I saw what happened online with my own eyes, and I had a human moment of reflection, just right then,” Chenoweth responded. “I came to understand that my comment hurt some folks. And that hurt me so bad. I would never. It’s no secret that I’m a Christian, that I’m a person with faith. It’s also no secret that I’m an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. And, for some, that doesn’t go together.”

However, Chenoweth insisted that being a Christian and LGBTQ+ ally have “always” gone hand in hand and “always will.”

Kirk was fatally shot at the age of 31 while speaking to the crowd at an event on the college campus in Orem, Utah. Tyler Robinson was later charged with killing the Turning Point USA founder.

Chenoweth was not the only celebrity to react to Kirk’s death on social media. “Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us,” Chris Pratt wrote via X. Meanwhile, Rosie O’Donnell shared a photo of Kirk on Instagram and wrote, “No just no — do not become the murderer — this is wrong on every level.”