Actresses Who Reject Vaccine Mandates

The intersection of personal health choices and professional requirements created a significant divide in Hollywood during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While studios and unions implemented strict protocols to ensure safety on set, several performers publicly voiced their opposition to vaccine mandates or refused to comply with them. Some actresses faced career repercussions, including being fired from long-running roles or stepping away from productions entirely. Others used their platforms to advocate for what they termed “medical freedom” and “bodily sovereignty.” This list explores the actresses who took a stand against vaccine mandates or faced professional consequences for their vaccination status.

Evangeline Lilly

Best known for her roles in ‘Lost’ and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Evangeline Lilly made headlines for her attendance at a rally in Washington, D.C. The event was organized to protest vaccine mandates, and Lilly posted photos on social media supporting “bodily sovereignty.” She stated that she believed nobody should be forced to inject their body with anything against their will: especially under threat of job loss. Her public stance drew criticism from some fans and industry peers, given her high-profile status in the Disney ecosystem.

Drea de Matteo

Emmy-winning actress Drea de Matteo revealed that her refusal to comply with Hollywood’s vaccine mandates severely impacted her career. The ‘The Sopranos’ star stated that she lost her agent and nearly lost her home after acting opportunities dried up due to her vaccination status. In response to the industry freeze, she pivoted to the subscription platform OnlyFans to support her family and maintain financial independence. De Matteo has since been a vocal critic of the mandates, describing her experience as being treated like a “savage” by the industry she worked in for decades.

Leigh-Allyn Baker

Disney Channel alumna Leigh-Allyn Baker became a viral sensation after delivering an impassioned speech at a Tennessee school board meeting. The ‘Good Luck Charlie’ actress described herself as a “refugee” from California who moved to escape what she viewed as oppressive mandates. She argued against mask and vaccine requirements for children, citing medical exemptions for her own kids. Baker effectively paused her mainstream Hollywood career to become a vocal advocate for parental rights and medical freedom.

Laura Osnes

Broadway star Laura Osnes faced immediate professional fallout when she withdrew from a one-night production of ‘Crazy for You’ in the Hamptons. The theater required proof of vaccination, which Osnes declined to provide, leading to her departure from the show. She subsequently left a ‘Disney Princess – The Concert’ tour due to similar mandate conflicts. Osnes defended her decision by citing her desire to wait for more research and her right to make autonomous medical choices for her family.

Andrea Bordeaux

Andrea Bordeaux publicly announced her firing from the Starz series ‘Run the World’ after just one season due to a dispute over vaccine protocols. The production company required all cast members working in Zone A to be fully vaccinated, a mandate Bordeaux refused to accept. She took to Instagram to clarify that she did not quit but was terminated for standing by her convictions. Bordeaux expressed that she was heartbroken to leave the character of Ella but felt she could not compromise her core beliefs.

Samaire Armstrong

‘The O.C.’ actress Samaire Armstrong reinvented herself as a conservative political activist and vocal opponent of pandemic restrictions. She frequently used her social media platforms to criticize vaccine mandates, mask rules, and government overreach. Armstrong participated in protests and ran for local office in California on a platform that included medical freedom. Her career focus shifted significantly from acting to political commentary following her outspoken opposition to the industry’s health protocols.

Gina Carano

While Gina Carano’s departure from ‘The Mandalorian’ was the result of a culmination of social media controversies, her opposition to mandates was a key component of her public stance. The former MMA fighter and actress frequently questioned the efficacy of vaccines and the necessity of government-enforced lockdowns. Her refusal to align with the political and social consensus of the studio contributed to her high-profile firing. Carano has since partnered with conservative media outlets to produce content that aligns with her views on freedom and expression.

Kristy Swanson

The original ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ actress Kristy Swanson has been a consistent critic of vaccine mandates and government oversight regarding COVID-19. Even after being hospitalized with a severe case of the virus, she maintained her opposition to mandatory vaccination policies. Swanson used her Twitter account to share skepticism about the vaccine’s development and distribution. She remains a staunch advocate for individual choice and has rallied against what she perceives as authoritarian measures in the entertainment industry.

Letitia Wright

‘Black Panther’ star Letitia Wright found herself at the center of a controversy after sharing a video on Twitter that questioned the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. The backlash was immediate, leading her to delete her social media accounts for a period. Reports from the set of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ suggested that her vaccination status and views caused tension and potential production delays. Wright denied being “anti-vax” but emphasized her right to ask questions about what goes into her body.

Isabel Lucas

Australian actress Isabel Lucas, known for ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’, lost work in her home country due to strict vaccine regulations. She was dropped from a charity ambassador role and reportedly lost a role in the film ‘Poker Face’ because she did not comply with vaccination requirements. Lucas spoke out about her decision, framing it as a matter of personal health strategy and intuition. She remains a prominent figure in the alternative wellness community which frequently overlaps with vaccine skepticism.

Fran Drescher

Although she is vaccinated herself, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher sparked debate within her union by opposing strict vaccine mandates for members. The ‘The Nanny’ star argued that the union should not allow employers to discriminate against actors based on their medical decisions. She framed the issue as one of bodily sovereignty and labor rights, stating that the industry was walking a “slippery slope” by enforcing such strict requirements. Her stance drew mixed reactions from the union membership, with some applauding her defense of freedom and others criticizing the potential safety risks.

Cheryl Hines

‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ actress Cheryl Hines faced a unique public relations challenge due to her marriage to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent figure in the vaccine skepticism movement. While she initially distanced herself from some of his more controversial comparisons, she eventually publicly supported his events and the general principle of medical choice. Hines hosted events at her home that required testing but not vaccination, defying the industry norm at the time. Her position has been one of supporting her husband’s right to question the narrative while navigating her own career in Hollywood.

Doutzen Kroes

Model and actress Doutzen Kroes, who appeared as an Amazonian in ‘Wonder Woman’, posted a lengthy statement on Instagram declaring she would not be forced to take the shot. She wrote about her refusal to succumb to pressure and her belief in the strength of her own immune system. Kroes faced backlash from the fashion and film industries but stood firm in her decision to prioritize her personal health philosophy. Her post became a rallying cry for other celebrities who felt silenced by the prevailing mandates.

Nicki Minaj

Though primarily a musician, Nicki Minaj has several acting credits and sparked a massive global conversation with her tweets about the vaccine. She refused to attend the Met Gala because the event required proof of vaccination: a requirement she was not willing to meet at the time. Her subsequent tweets regarding anecdotal side effects involving a cousin’s friend in Trinidad caused a media firestorm. Minaj insisted on her right to do her own research and not be bullied into a medical decision for a red carpet event.

Jessica Biel

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘The Sinner’ star Jessica Biel was active in opposing legislative mandates regarding vaccinations in California. She lobbied against SB 276, a bill designed to limit medical exemptions for vaccines in schools. Biel stated she was not “anti-vax” but was strictly “for medical freedom” and the right of families to choose with their doctors. Her pre-pandemic activism placed her on the list of actresses skeptical of state-enforced medical mandates.

Alicia Silverstone

‘Clueless’ star Alicia Silverstone has been a longtime advocate for a natural lifestyle and has written books promoting alternative health practices. She has historically expressed skepticism regarding vaccines and has supported the idea that parents should have the ultimate say in their children’s medical care. During the pandemic, she continued to promote immune-boosting health habits rather than pharmaceutical interventions. Silverstone’s opposition to mandates aligns with her broader philosophy of eco-friendly and chemical-free living.

Jenna Elfman

‘Dharma & Greg’ actress Jenna Elfman has publicly opposed mandatory vaccination legislation in California alongside other Hollywood figures. She used her social media platforms to speak out against the removal of personal belief exemptions for school children. Elfman argued that parental rights were being eroded by government overreach in the medical sphere. Her stance is consistent with her advocacy for religious and personal freedoms regarding health.

Sarah Stephens

Australian model and actress Sarah Stephens, who appeared in the horror film ‘The Witch’, took a very active role in the anti-mandate movement. She attended and documented various “freedom rallies” in London and Australia, protesting lockdowns and vaccine passports. Stephens used her Instagram to share footage of protests and criticize police enforcement of pandemic rules. She was eventually dropped by her modeling agency due to her vocal and public activism against the mandates.

Brigitte Bardot

French screen legend Brigitte Bardot remains outspoken well into her retirement and publicly announced her refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine. She described the vaccine as “rubbish” and stated that she was allergic to all chemicals, preferring to rely on her health. Bardot faced fines for her various controversial statements but remained unbothered by public opinion regarding her medical choices. Her refusal was rooted in a lifetime of skepticism toward modern pharmaceutical interventions.

Taryn Manning

‘Orange Is the New Black’ actress Taryn Manning used her social media presence to express confusion and resistance toward the vaccine mandates. She posted statements emphasizing her distrust of the narrative and her support for those who chose not to vaccinate. Manning’s posts were often cryptic but clearly aligned with the “medical freedom” perspective. She faced criticism from fans but maintained her right to question the necessity of the mandates.

Rhona Mitra

Actress Rhona Mitra, known for ‘Doomsday’ and ‘The Last Ship’, has been a vocal critic of vaccine passports and mandates. She posted frequently about the importance of natural immunity and the dangers of a society divided by vaccination status. Mitra criticized the medical industry’s approach to health, advocating for holistic wellness instead. Her social media became a hub for sharing information that challenged the mainstream consensus on pandemic management.

Lisa Bonet

Lisa Bonet has held a long-standing skepticism toward vaccinations, dating back years before the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘The Cosby Show’ actress has stated in interviews that she believes in the right to refuse medical interventions that she feels could introduce toxins to the body. While she keeps a low profile, her philosophy on natural living and medical freedom is well-documented. Her stance on mandates is an extension of her decades-long commitment to alternative health.

Juliette Lewis

‘Yellowjackets’ star Juliette Lewis has expressed opposition to the idea of the government forcing medical procedures on citizens. While not as aggressive in her rhetoric as others, she has voiced support for freedom of choice regarding vaccinations. Her views align with her broader skepticism of the pharmaceutical industry and psychiatric medicine. Lewis has managed to continue working in high-profile projects while maintaining her personal boundaries regarding mandates.

Kirstie Alley

Before her passing, ‘Cheers’ actress Kirstie Alley was a frequent critic of COVID-19 mandates and guidelines on Twitter. She argued that the government should not have the authority to mandate health decisions for individuals or businesses. Alley often engaged with fans and detractors alike, defending the rights of those who chose not to vaccinate. Her commentary focused heavily on the concept of personal liberty and the overreach of federal agencies.

Shailene Woodley

‘Big Little Lies’ actress Shailene Woodley has always been known for her naturalistic approach to health, including making her own medicines and gathering her own water. When asked about her vaccination status, she notably declined to answer directly, framing it as a personal choice that shouldn’t be political. She publicly supported Aaron Rodgers during his vaccine controversy, sharing posts that criticized the media’s handling of the situation. Woodley’s stance reflects a rejection of the “one size fits all” mandate approach in favor of bio-individuality.

Rose McGowan

‘Charmed’ actress and activist Rose McGowan has frequently questioned the narratives provided by mainstream media and the government. She expressed skepticism about the vaccine and the aggressive push for mandates, comparing the pressure to a cult-like mentality. McGowan argued that people should not be coerced into medical decisions through fear or threat of unemployment. Her anti-establishment persona made her a natural ally for the anti-mandate movement.

Kat Von D

Tattoo artist and TV personality Kat Von D has a history of facing backlash for her stance on vaccinations. She famously stated she would raise her child “vegan and drug-free,” which sparked a massive controversy regarding her stance on vaccines. While she later softened some public statements to avoid conflict, she remained critical of government mandates forcing the issue. She eventually moved out of California, citing the state’s overreach and policies as a primary reason for her departure.

Candace Cameron Bure

‘Fuller House’ star Candace Cameron Bure has been vocal about her support for medical freedom and the right to choose. She shared graphics on social media that stated “I’m not anti-vax, I’m just pro-medical freedom,” explicitly opposing mandates. Bure defended those who lost their jobs for refusing the vaccine, calling the mandates unjust. She continues to advocate for a worldview that prioritizes individual religious and medical exemptions.

Sarah Palin

Although primarily a politician, Sarah Palin has appeared in various reality television roles and has been a fixture in pop culture. She famously declared that she would get the vaccine “over my dead body.” Palin tested positive for the virus but continued to dine out in New York City, defying local vaccine mandate rules for indoor dining. Her actions were a deliberate protest against the regulations that required proof of vaccination to participate in public life.

Denise Richards

‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star Denise Richards faced scrutiny regarding her vaccination status during the filming of the show. While she did not aggressively campaign against vaccines, she expressed hesitation and concern regarding the mandates. Reports from the set suggested tension regarding the strict testing and vaccination protocols required for production. Richards has generally advocated for a “wait and see” approach, prioritizing her own comfort level over industry demands.

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