Actresses Who Reject Vaccine Mandates

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood experienced tension between keeping people safe at work and individual choices about health. Studios and unions put strict rules in place on set, but some actors publicly disagreed with requirements to get vaccinated, or refused to follow them. This led to some actresses losing roles or leaving projects. Others spoke out, arguing for the right to make their own medical decisions. This article highlights the actresses who opposed vaccine rules or faced career challenges because of their vaccination status.

Evangeline Lilly

Evangeline Lilly, famous for her work on ‘Lost’ and in Marvel movies, recently sparked controversy by attending a protest in Washington, D.C. against vaccine requirements. She shared photos online expressing her support for the right to make personal choices about medical treatment, stating that no one should be forced to get vaccinated, especially if it risks their livelihood. Her position received backlash from some fans and colleagues, considering her prominent role with Disney.

Drea de Matteo

Drea de Matteo, an Emmy-winning actress best known for “The Sopranos,” has spoken about how refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 significantly harmed her career. She lost her agent and almost lost her home because she stopped getting acting roles. To support her family, she turned to the subscription platform OnlyFans. De Matteo has become a strong voice against vaccine mandates, saying she felt like an outcast after decades in the entertainment industry.

Leigh-Allyn Baker

Leigh-Allyn Baker, known for her role on Disney Channel’s ‘Good Luck Charlie,’ recently gained a lot of attention after speaking at a school board meeting in Tennessee. She described leaving California because she disagreed with strict rules and regulations there. Baker spoke out against requiring masks and vaccines for children, explaining she had obtained medical exemptions for her own kids. She has largely stepped away from her acting career to actively support parents’ rights to make choices about their children’s health.

Laura Osnes

Broadway actress Laura Osnes quickly lost her role in a Hamptons production of ‘Crazy for You’ after refusing to show proof of vaccination, as required by the theater. She later left the ‘Disney Princess – The Concert’ tour for the same reason. Osnes explained her choices by saying she wanted to see more research on the vaccine and believed she had the right to make her own medical decisions for her family.

Andrea Bordeaux

Andrea Bordeaux revealed she was fired from the Starz show ‘Run the World’ after one season because of a disagreement over vaccine rules. The show required anyone working closely with the cast to be fully vaccinated, and Bordeaux chose not to comply. In an Instagram post, she explained that she didn’t leave voluntarily, but was let go for sticking to her beliefs. While saddened to leave her role as Ella, Bordeaux stated she couldn’t go against her principles.

Samaire Armstrong

Samaire Armstrong, known for her role in ‘The O.C.’, has become a conservative activist who speaks out against pandemic restrictions. She often uses social media to criticize rules about vaccines and masks, as well as what she sees as excessive government power. Armstrong has protested these policies and even ran for office in California, advocating for people’s right to make their own healthcare decisions. Since publicly opposing health protocols in the entertainment industry, she’s largely moved away from acting and now focuses on political commentary.

Gina Carano

As a big fan of ‘The Mandalorian,’ I was really bummed to see Gina Carano leave. It wasn’t just one thing that led to it, but a series of controversies she stirred up online. A lot of it stemmed from her openly questioning things like vaccine effectiveness and whether lockdowns were really necessary. Basically, she didn’t fall in line with the views the studio wanted to promote, and that ultimately led to her being fired. Since then, she’s been working with more conservative media companies, creating content that reflects her beliefs about freedom of speech and personal liberty.

Kristy Swanson

Kristy Swanson, the actress best known for playing Buffy in the original ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ has consistently spoken out against vaccine requirements and government involvement in handling COVID-19. Even after a serious illness with the virus, she didn’t change her view and continued to oppose forcing people to get vaccinated. Swanson has used Twitter to express her doubts about how quickly the vaccine was created and distributed. She strongly believes everyone should have the freedom to make their own choices and has protested what she sees as overly controlling policies in Hollywood.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright, known for her role in ‘Black Panther,’ faced criticism after posting a video on Twitter that raised doubts about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. The negative reaction was swift, and she temporarily deactivated her social media accounts. Sources from the set of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ indicated that disagreements about her vaccination status and beliefs may have caused problems and slowed down filming. Wright clarified that she wasn’t against vaccines, but maintained her right to inquire about their ingredients and potential effects.

Isabel Lucas

As a film fan, I was really surprised to hear that Isabel Lucas, who you might remember from ‘Transformers’, has faced some professional setbacks in Australia. Apparently, because she chose not to get vaccinated, she lost a role as an ambassador for a charity and was also cut from the movie ‘Poker Face’. She’s been pretty open about her decision, explaining it as a personal choice based on her own health beliefs. It seems she’s also involved in the wellness community, which often includes people who are skeptical about vaccines, and that’s likely why this became such a public issue.

Fran Drescher

Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, has caused discussion within her union by speaking out against requiring members to be vaccinated. Even though she herself is vaccinated, Drescher believes the union shouldn’t let employers discriminate against actors based on their personal health choices. She sees this as a matter of individual freedom and workers’ rights, warning that strict vaccine rules could lead to further restrictions. Union members have had varying reactions, with some supporting her stance on freedom and others expressing concern about potential health and safety issues.

Cheryl Hines

It’s been tricky watching my husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., get so much attention for his views on vaccines, especially as someone who works in the entertainment industry. At first, I tried to stay separate from some of the more heated debates, but I ultimately decided to support his right to speak his mind and advocate for medical freedom. I even hosted some events at my home where we required testing instead of vaccinations – which wasn’t the usual thing to do in Hollywood at the time. It’s all about supporting him while also trying to navigate my own career, and believing everyone deserves the right to make their own choices about their health.

Doutzen Kroes

Doutzen Kroes, the model and actress known for her role in ‘Wonder Woman’, publicly announced on Instagram that she wouldn’t comply with vaccination requirements. She explained she was resisting pressure and trusted her own body’s ability to stay healthy. Despite criticism from the fashion and film worlds, Kroes remained steadfast in her commitment to her personal health beliefs. Her statement resonated with other celebrities who felt unable to speak out against the mandates.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj is best known as a musician, but she’s also appeared in a few acting roles. She recently caused a lot of discussion online when she spoke out about the COVID-19 vaccine. She decided not to go to the Met Gala because attendees had to show proof of vaccination, and she wasn’t comfortable with that requirement. After sharing a story about a friend of a family member in Trinidad and their experience with the vaccine, her tweets quickly became a major news story. Minaj maintained that she should be able to do her own research and make her own medical choices, and didn’t want to be pressured because of an event like the Met Gala.

Jessica Biel

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, actress Jessica Biel publicly opposed laws in California that required vaccinations. She specifically lobbied against a bill, SB 276, which would have made it harder for parents to get medical exemptions for their children’s vaccinations. Biel clarified that she wasn’t against vaccines overall, but believed families should have the right to make healthcare decisions with their doctors. This stance made her known as one of the actresses who questioned state-mandated medical requirements.

Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone, known for her role in ‘Clueless,’ has long championed a natural approach to health, even writing books on the subject. She’s often questioned the use of vaccines and believes parents should make all healthcare decisions for their children. Throughout the pandemic, she focused on strengthening the immune system through healthy habits, rather than relying on medications. This stance reflects her overall commitment to an environmentally friendly and chemical-free lifestyle.

Jenna Elfman

Jenna Elfman, known for her role in ‘Dharma & Greg,’ has spoken out against California laws requiring vaccinations. Along with other celebrities, she used social media to protest the removal of exemptions for those with personal or religious beliefs. Elfman believes these laws infringe on parents’ rights and represent excessive government control over healthcare choices, a position consistent with her broader support for personal and religious freedom.

Sarah Stephens

As a real cinema fan, I was surprised to learn that Sarah Stephens, who played a part in ‘The Witch’ – a genuinely creepy film, by the way – became a prominent voice against COVID-19 mandates. I followed some of what was happening online and saw she was really involved in the ‘freedom rallies’ taking place in both London and Australia, speaking out against lockdowns and vaccine passports. She used her Instagram to share what she was seeing and didn’t hold back when it came to criticizing how the police were handling things. Sadly, it looks like her outspoken views cost her her modeling contract – her agency ended up dropping her because of her activism. It’s a reminder that taking a public stand can have consequences, even for people in the public eye.

Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot, the famous French actress, continues to speak her mind even in retirement. She publicly said she wouldn’t get the COVID-19 vaccine, calling it ineffective and stating she’s allergic to chemicals, preferring to trust her own health. Though she faced penalties for her outspoken views, Bardot doesn’t seem concerned about what others think of her decision, a choice based on her long-held distrust of modern medicine.

Taryn Manning

Taryn Manning, known for her role in ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ publicly shared her doubts about vaccine requirements on social media. She voiced her skepticism about the information being presented and supported people’s right to choose whether or not to get vaccinated. While her posts were sometimes unclear, they generally reflected a belief in ‘medical freedom.’ Manning received some backlash from fans, but defended her right to ask questions about the mandates.

Rhona Mitra

Rhona Mitra, an actress you might recognize from ‘Doomsday’ and ‘The Last Ship,’ has publicly spoken out against vaccine passports and requirements. She often shared her thoughts online, emphasizing the power of natural immunity and warning about the potential for a divided society based on vaccination status. Mitra also questioned the traditional medical approach, promoting a focus on overall wellness. Her social media accounts became a place where people shared information that differed from the commonly accepted views on handling the pandemic.

Lisa Bonet

Lisa Bonet has been wary of vaccinations for many years, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The actress, known for ‘The Cosby Show,’ has publicly shared her belief that people should have the right to choose whether or not to receive medical treatments, especially if they worry about harmful substances entering their body. Although she generally avoids the spotlight, her commitment to a natural lifestyle and personal medical freedom is well-known, and her opposition to vaccine mandates is a continuation of her long-held beliefs about alternative health practices.

Juliette Lewis

Juliette Lewis, known for her role in ‘Yellowjackets,’ believes people should have the freedom to choose their own medical treatments, including vaccinations. She’s wary of the pharmaceutical industry and mental health practices, and has spoken out against government mandates forcing medical procedures. Despite her views, she’s continued to work on successful projects while staying true to her personal beliefs.

Kirstie Alley

Kirstie Alley, the actress known for ‘Cheers,’ often spoke out against COVID-19 rules and recommendations, especially on Twitter. She believed people and businesses should be free to make their own health choices, without government interference. Alley regularly interacted with others online, often defending the right of individuals to choose whether or not to get vaccinated. Her main point was that government shouldn’t overstep when it comes to personal freedom and health decisions.

Shailene Woodley

Shailene Woodley, the actress from ‘Big Little Lies,’ is well-known for her holistic lifestyle, often making her own health remedies and sourcing her own water. When questioned about her vaccination status, she avoided a direct answer, stating it was a personal decision and shouldn’t be a political issue. She publicly backed Aaron Rodgers when he faced controversy over his vaccination status, reposting content that was critical of the media’s coverage. Woodley seems to believe in a personalized approach to health, rejecting the idea that everyone should follow the same guidelines.

Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan, known for her role on ‘Charmed’ and her activism, has often challenged information from traditional news sources and the government. She voiced doubts about the COVID-19 vaccine and the strong push for vaccine requirements, suggesting the pressure felt similar to being in a cult. McGowan believes people should be free to make their own healthcare choices without being scared or threatened with job loss. Because she often questions authority, she naturally became a supporter of those opposing vaccine mandates.

Kat Von D

As a longtime follower of Kat Von D, I remember when things got really heated around her views on vaccinations. She initially said she planned to raise her son vegan and without medication, which immediately caused a huge uproar because people thought it meant she wasn’t going to vaccinate him. She did try to clarify things later and avoid arguments, but she still didn’t agree with the government telling people they had to get vaccinated. It got to the point where she actually left California, and she specifically said it was because of the state’s strict rules and what she saw as them overstepping their boundaries.

Candace Cameron Bure

As a movie and TV fan, I’ve been following the conversation around Candace Cameron Bure, and it’s interesting. She’s been pretty open about believing people should have the freedom to make their own medical choices, and she’s not against vaccines overall. What she really objects to are the rules that require vaccination, especially when it costs people their jobs. She’s consistently supported those who lost work because of those mandates, arguing they weren’t fair, and continues to champion the idea that personal beliefs – whether religious or medical – should be respected and accommodated.

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin is best known as a politician, but she’s also become a familiar face on reality TV and in popular culture. She famously said she’d never get the vaccine, and later tested positive for the virus. Despite this, she continued to eat at restaurants in New York City, which at the time had rules requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining. Palin stated her actions were a conscious effort to protest these rules, which she disagreed with.

Denise Richards

Denise Richards, a star on ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,’ found herself under pressure regarding her vaccination status while filming the show. Though she didn’t actively oppose vaccines, she voiced concerns about being required to get vaccinated. There were reports of friction on set due to the show’s strict COVID-19 testing and vaccination rules. Richards generally preferred to take a cautious approach, prioritizing her own comfort level over what the production company required.

Share your thoughts on how these actresses handled the mandate controversy in the comments.

2026-01-21 23:19