Wicked star Kristin Chenoweth says backlash to Charlie Kirk comments ‘nearly broke’ her

Kristin Chenoweth has commented on the backlash she faced over her reaction to Charlie Kirk‘s assassination, saying it “nearly broke me.”

Following Kirk’s death in September, Chenoweth commented on the right-wing activist’s last social media post that she was “upset” and that she “didn’t always agree [with Kirk] but appreciated some perspectives. What a heartbreak.”

This prompted criticism from many of actress’ LGBTQ+ fans due to Kirk’s vocal opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter to promote her upcoming Broadway return in The Queen of Versailles Chenoweth was asked about the controversy.

“It was tough on me, but I’m not going to answer any questions about it because I dealt with it,” she said.

“It nearly broke me, and that’s all I’m going to say. You probably know my heart, so you probably know.”

Elsewhere in the interview Chenoweth said: “I’m not going to talk about politics, because I’m not a political person.” But she did confirm she voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, adding: “Anybody that knows me knows how I believe.”

After the backlash to her comment on Kirk’s post, Chenoweth recognised “that my comment hurt some folks and that hurt me so bad.” The longstanding LGBTQ+ advocate reminded people that she was also a “person of faith,” and that “for some, that doesn’t go together. But for me, it always has, and it always will.”

Chenoweth has long stood alongside the LGBTQ+ community. The actress, who originated the role of Glinda in the Broadway musical, Wicked, slammed critics of the 2024 movie adaptation that it was “pushing an LGBTQ+ agenda.”

She also covered Out’s 2025 Pride issue in which she expressed love for the community.

Kirk expressed multiple anti-LGBTQ+ views over the years. Among them, he described the LGBTQ+ community as an “agenda” and “groomers” and labelled trans peoples as “freaks” and used the slur “tr***y” on countless occasions. He also said being gay was a “lifestyle” and called for violence against trans folks.

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