Evangeline Lilly apologizes for her virus comments, says she’s social distancing now

World Premiere of 'Avengers: Endgame'

Even though it feels like it happened months ago, it was just last week when Evangeline Lilly took to Instagram to say a bunch of crazy sh-t about the coronavirus and how she was not isolating herself or her children. She said the virus was “just the flu” and she wasn’t quarantining or changing her schedule at all. She also said some sh-t about how the virus was perhaps a big government conspiracy in an election year. The point is, she sounded bonkers, selfish and terrible. Well, now she’s apologizing. From her Instagram:

Hello everyone.

I am writing you from my home where I have been social distancing since Mar 18th – when social distancing was instituted in the small community where I am currently living.

At the time of my Mar 16th post, the directives from the authorities here were that we not congregate in groups of more than 250ppl and that we wash our hands regularly, which we were doing. Two days later, those directives changed and, despite my intense trepidation over the socioeconomic and political repercussions of this course of action, PLEASE KNOW I AM DOING MY PART TO FLATTEN THE CURVE, PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING HOME WITH MY FAMILY.

I want to offer my sincere and heartfelt apology for the insensitivity I showed in my previous post to the very real suffering and fear that has gripped the world through COVID19. Grandparents, parents, children, sisters and brothers are dying, the world is rallying to find a way to stop this very real threat, and my ensuing silence has sent a dismissive, arrogant and cryptic message.

My direct and special apologies to those most affected by this pandemic. I never meant to hurt you. When I wrote that post 10 days ago, I thought I was infusing calm into the hysteria. I can see now that I was projecting my own fears into an already fearful and traumatic situation.
I am grieved by the ongoing loss of life, and the impossible decisions medical workers around the world must make as they treat those affected. I am concerned for our communities – small businesses and families living paycheck-to-paycheck – and I am trying to follow responsible recommendations for how to help. Like many of you, I fear for the political aftermath of this pandemic, and I am praying for us all.

At the same time, I am heartened by the beauty and humanity I see so many people demonstrating toward one another in this vulnerable time. When I was grappling with my own fears over social distancing, one kind, wise and gracious person said to me “do it out of love, not fear” and it helped me to realize my place in all of this.

Sending love to all of you, even if you can’t return it right now. EL

[From Evangeline’s IG]

“Two days later, those directives changed and, despite my intense trepidation over the socioeconomic and political repercussions of this course of action… Ugh. I mean, I’m glad that she’s following the government’s orders. I’m glad that she’s trying to learn and grow and I appreciate her apology. But she just had to throw in “despite my intense trepidation over the socioeconomic and political repercussions of this course of action…” I saw this in a tweet and it really works here: there are no libertarians in a pandemic. This is truly the moment where we all come together as individuals in a society for the common good. We NEED the government. (Just not the Trump government.)

'Ant-Man and the Wasp' Rome Photocall

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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28 Responses to “Evangeline Lilly apologizes for her virus comments, says she’s social distancing now”

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  1. Lucy2 says:

    It’s a decent apology, and I’m glad she’s doing the right thing now, just hope neither she or her kids were exposed before.

  2. Mia4s says:

    Yeah the apology was pretty good except for that point (I mean…WTF?). So it feels more like an agent, publicist (or Marvel publicist) got in touch and wrote that apology. That was likely her contribution. She’s stupid, but that‘s not exactly earth shattering news.

    As long as she’s distancing I guess I don’t care why. Shame, fear of career damage….Whatever.

    • minx says:

      Exactly. Don’t care why she’s staying home, glad she is.

    • Jessa says:

      I actually don’t mind the line. Yes, it’s sh*tty, but it also shows she hasn’t completely flipped on her overarching views, but despite them is still doing the right thing.

    • Trashaddict says:

      Way too self-important. A short apology would have done just fine.

  3. grabbyhands says:

    Translation:

    I was getting a lot of bad press and after no longer being able to find enough people to support the idea that me sending my kids out into public and taking zero precautions to social distance, I will now use a lot of “progressive” buzzwords to walk back my completely privileged and tone deaf comments of earlier in the month and pretend that things weren’t that bad before but now I’m totally listening and obeying the law.

    She doesn’t get a cookie for deciding when she gets to participate in orders put in place to protect people.

    • SomeChick says:

      Yes. That little aside about the freaking ECONOMY shows you what she really cares about; money. Also, so much self-justification. I thought this was supposed to be an apology!

      “Sorry, I don’t care about others.”

      That grey suit thing – ugh. I can kinda see what they were going for, but it’s all kinds of wrong. Off to GFY with it!

      Top pic is very pretty. But, pretty is as pretty does!

      • lizzieb says:

        @somechick. Am throwing her a bone on the economy etc. She mentions small business, paycheck to paycheck. Covid 19 and flattening the curve is vital not only to save lives but to avoid chaos and repercussions. We can’t overwhelm our medical community. We can also step up and help a neighbour who is laid off, may not be able to afford proper food or medicine. agree with Kaiser, we need government stepping up to do the right thing so we all get through this together.with a little luck maybe the spirit of shared community, empathy and compassion will continue even after the crisis has passed

    • Sarah says:

      Right…ten days later, when it personally affects *her*. Okay girl. Please do not forget the very troubling things she was saying in the comments like “There’s something every election…”

      Stay cancelled, Vangie.

    • ChillyWilly says:

      Perfect translation for us peons who don’t speak entitled celeb, @grabbyhands

    • Nikki* says:

      I agree with your assessment.

  4. goofpuff says:

    Eh. A publicist wrote this for her and probably forced her to at least pretend she’s self-isolating. I doubt her views have really changed much. All she is worried about is the socio-economic and political fallout which she keeps reminding us. So lucky for her that she’s rich and famous and doesn’t have to worry about securing a ventilator like the rest of us.

  5. Lily says:

    I am happy about this apology. Her post showed how she is all about me me me me me, still think she’s narcissistic, but I accept the apology

  6. Lisa says:

    I don’t have much patience for her self serving nonsense.

  7. Case says:

    I think it’s a good, comprehensive apology. Whether she means it or not is another thing, but at least she’s setting a good example now.

  8. WTF says:

    Yeah, whatever. It’s a well written apology. Kudos to her publicist . Isn’t she the same woman that used to complain about the burden of her beauty?

  9. Tiffany says:

    Yeah, this entitlement and stupidity is the most attention she has gotten in a long time. She is the most forgettable member of the Marvel universe second to Jeremy Rinner.

  10. Oliviajoy1995 says:

    She either got fired from Ant-man because of her previous ignorant comment, or they reduced her role in the film greatly. My guess is that’s why she is apologizing.

  11. Kitkatdanke says:

    This was definitely a publicist’s initiative, but I guess it’s better than nothing. I’m sure several people felt validated by her initial comments. It really disgusts me how so many people (usually boomers I’ve noticed, but Evangeline is only 40) think being asked to stand a foot apart is somehow trampling their liberties. Yesterday I saw pictures of nurses wearing garbage bags. That these people haven’t made the connection that social distancing is to prevent our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed is so mindlessly self absorbed.

  12. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    I realize it’s so very hard to think about other people and the political and socioeconomic ramifications you’ll have to endure while attempting to think about others must be debilitating for you. What a fine upstanding model you’ve illustrated for your children and the fans who follow you — such a beacon of wisdom. This is, after all, entirely about you.

  13. Paperclip says:

    She’s a bit of a wack-a-doo if memory serves…?

  14. Valerie says:

    Right, fine, but the damage may already be done. By not socially distancing, she could have infected others or put herself and her family at risk of contracting it.

  15. Holly hobby says:

    Maggie grace went after her hard on Instagram. She even told her to call up Daniel DAE Kim to check up on him.

  16. DogObsessedGirl says:

    I am wondering about the camp to which she sent her children. The camp was allowed to remain operational? If she said she was trying to support a small business her children love, even then I would be frustrated because you can pay for a camp or class now to keep small business running and they will honor the purchase later.
    I had an acquaintance say she was embarrassed to have her dog walker come to walk her dog while she’s at home working, but she didn’t want to lose her “slot.”
    I said, “You could pay your dog walker and tell her stay home for her safety. That would create tremendous loyalty while also benefitting your community.”
    The Acquaintance, “…I never thought of that.”

  17. Nightsky says:

    Uh uh, her apology means nothing really. I simply read it as “my publicist told me I need to issue a sincere-sounding apology because a lot of people are disgusted by my selfish, spoiled, ignorant and irresponsible comments and now think I’m a complete covidiot”. Her refusal to practice social distancing may have exposed herself, her children and people she was in contact with to the virus. Not to mention the people who admire her and decided they too should choose “freedom” over caution and concern for other’s well being? Sorry EL, you showed your true colors and no amount of faux-sorry blather is going to change my perception of you.

  18. Izzy says:

    Whatever. Just stay the eff at home like you’re supposed to. Don’t worry, you’ll get your Marvel money, it just might be a little delayed. SMH

  19. Jules says:

    It’s a good apology as far as apologies go, but clearly her publicist took over and told her to STFU. Most celebrities are showing themselves to be tone deaf and still all about ME.