Rachel Griffiths is an Australian actress who is one of the greatest movies of all time, Hilary & Jackie (seriously, seek it out, it’s amazing). You might also remember her from Six Feet Under. I didn’t know much about her or her life or beliefs. I still don’t. But I don’t want to know now that I’ve read this story. Rachel used to live and work in America, but she moved back to Australia years ago, from what I can determine. Thus, what’s happening “in America” doesn’t really affect her, I guess, even though Australia has deeply rooted problems with racism too. But who cares about any of that when we could talk about Rachel’s manicure.
Rachel Griffiths is in hot water for a tone-deaf Instagram post showing off her fresh manicure and giant diamond ring amid the George Floyd protests and coronavirus pandemic. The Australian actress, 51, shared a photo of her light pink nails earlier this week, captioned, “Shallow I know …. America is burning people are dying … but still it just seems easier on the soul to watch all this happening with beautiful nails. And judging by the line of desperate ladies I am not alone. Shallow people we are but I need to share this important covid update. The manicurists are open!!! Tip generously as they have had not income since covid lockdown.”
Almost immediately, the internet lit up in shock. The “Six Feet Under” star deleted the post and issued a lengthy apology on Tuesday.
“The last few days have been wrenching,” Griffiths began, sharing a video of Australian newscaster Stan Grant talking about Indigenous Australians. “My post early today leant away from that pain but I understand in doing so it pained others who can’t look away from what’s happening — can’t turn off and check out because it is their lives — their brothers their sisters their children. And it’s not over ‘there.’ This [is] our country’s stain also. I did not intend to trivialise just escape it. But that I understand is part of the problem. I am sorry. I am sorry that I got this so wrong today. I am sorry that I abdicated any meaningful sense making of what is happening this week and has been happening for centuries. Thank you to the people who have called me out. I have a long way to go to truly understand my white bitch privilege.”
The only thing I’ll say in very mild defense of Rachel is that ALL people are 100% allowed to not spend every waking moment thinking about racism and violence and what’s happening here and around the world. We’re allowed to give ourselves a break for our own mental health. That being said, you don’t segue from “yes people are dying and racism blah blah LOOK AT MY NAILS!” My God. White bitch privilege, 100%.
That segue 😬 pic.twitter.com/ch2NTbSDOp
— Nick Bond (@bondnickbond) June 2, 2020
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Segue is awful.
Self care and mental breaks are encouraged. Why did she not just say that.
“Here in Australia, we are fortunate to be able to get our nails done. Find a way to safely take care of yourself.”
See, I should be in PR.
Re my response below, Tiffany. Yeah, I admit it. I am too serious. Always have been.
This feels intentional. She clearly must want bad press. Attention maybe? Wait, maybe she gave us all a mental health break by creating this ridiculous story.
Re this comment “We’re allowed to give ourselves a break for our own mental health.” Sadly people of color never get an actual break from Being Black in America. For 100% of the time of our existence on earth we navigate the world knowing the color of our skin will have consequences.
^^^Right. That’s why this would not have been a good post no matter how she phrased it. Just zip it. Show your friends your manicure.
True, being able to give oneself a break is also a sign of privilege. Especially since mental health is mostly marketed and catered to white people, as well.
Hey I am a POC in America and sometimes I’m just worried about trivial stuff like my roots or beauty products, I’m not thinking all the time about police brutality, I’d go crazy.
OMG, wtf?!
She should immediately be fired, she works as a School Principle in Step up the movie after all!!!
Step DOWN
She was in Brothers and Sisters too. I actually really like the stuff she’s been in, and she’s always been so good in her roles.
Damn…this is a mess. What are these people thinking??? I totally agree we ALL need mental breaks, but you don’t post this. Idiotic. I guess clueless and privileged. These are the bubbles they live in. How damaging to their souls. They must be so empty inside. Just huge voids of neediness. Huh. This reminds me of Kramer mocking Jerry Seinfeld “love me love me love me”. That’s what actors are, maybe?
Oh, Rachel, Rachel. You are such an embarrassment. Yes, we can now go and get our nails done once again, but in the time the easing of restrictions was announce and you visiting your favourite salon, there has been something far more important going on in the world. Have you not noticed? Has it not reminded you that we still haven’t got our house in order when it comes to racism, inequality and lack of respect towards our Indigenous brothers and sisters? Do you not realise that we also have parallel Issues with the US and Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the latest horror that is the death of George Floyd at the hands of the very people who are charged with upholding law and order? OK, this might have been a blip of consciousness on your part, and I might just be too serious for my own good, but, aw geez, Rachel.\, really? Really?
I can only shake my head.
(*Apology from Rachel in in 3, 2, 1…)
As she pointed out Australia has a horrific past as well. I remember a friend of a friend from Tasmania casually telling me that Tasmanians used to ride around and shoot aboriginal people. I don’t know when it or if it happened but his lack of outrage over that fact ? was telling.
Bad taste. Can’t she keep her manicure to herself? How super important can a manicure be, wow…..I, for one, am not getting my usual manicures ever since the pandemic hit and my nails look rather awful, but it’s not the end of the world. I’ll be fine. During this time when so many have died or have lost their jobs, why tell the entire “world” about your manicure? What was she thinking…..clueless and lost in her world of entitlement.
Why do so many people insist on being stupid in such a public manner? Ego + ignorance, I guess.
Wow, that is…BAD. Seriously, is she that clueless, or just didn’t care how it would come off to people?
Another good example of why people need to STOP POSTING EVERYTHING THEY DO ONLINE. No one cares that she got her nails done. If she wanted to show support she could have just posted something that said “Remember to tip well as things begin to reopen, many people have had no income for a long time.” Done.
I’m so dissapointed. I love her work. She was amazing in Six Feet Under and Muriel ‘s Wedding. Apparently she’s just an insensitive moron.
That ring is ugly.
As are her hands and manicure and that picture angle. The whole post was a fail. She was hella tone deaf AND the results looked like crap.
I agree completely. Anyone needing diversions should seek them out. Enjoy. Indulge. Besides, live your life your way, who gives a shit, hello! But any online bragging, or musings, about said break as it relates to global chaos will be hard-balled back quick, fast and in a hurry. Maybe that’s what she wanted, who knows with people these days. “I think I’ll post something provocative to give traffic a shot of adrenaline, and then sincerely apologise to illustrate earnest convictions.” It has been known.
Way too soon to be making these types of jokes. My aunt sometimes jokes that she misses the war because it was easy to lose 30 pounds when we all relied on Red Cross and Red Crescent to feed us, but that happened 25 years ago. Maybe one day we will all be making 2020 jokes, but not right now and not on social media.
Sorry, not sorry.
She could have used this opportunity so much better. “I’m taking a much needed break from all the injustice in the world right now. I’m privileged enough to be able to do that. Link in bio for resources on how you can help make sure that everyone can. ” wouldn’t be the best but ppl wouldn’t be that mad.
Alot of people internationally are enjoying ‘merica being brought down a peg in the same fashion they r enjoying Lea Michelle being brought down a peg. I see it all over blogs and websites and even my twitter feed.
I’m an older gay man of color, and I’ve been watching the rioting and demonstrations on tv for days now. But I began to start feeling the hate especially towards whites and the looters. I didn’t want to become a person hate instead of a person of compassion and tolerance. So I stopped watching and started watching other stuff: rick and morty; schitt’s creek; golden girls, maude, etc. With that in mind, I don’t want to dump on RG too much. What she said doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is how the police are using military-style tactics to put down peaceful demonstrations. Be angry about that and not about an actress living clear across the world from the US. RG is simple another example of white entitlement. Should we be surprised?
Schitt’s Creek has also been my go-to show when I’m overwhelmed.
What a grubby story. The US government have been supporting a genocide in Yemen for a few years now, but people haven’t been jumping on here and hitting you over the head with it every time you write a story that is NOT about the genocide in Yemen.
@No we live in a time of Western exceptionalism, so even though attrocities are commited every day, supported by governments across the spectrum in the West, they will never gain as much recognition as something that’s happening in America or Europe. Yes, there will be educated, aware people who will start campaigns and protest on foreign issues, but at the end of the day it always reminds me of that scene in Bridget Jones “Isn’t it awful about Chechnya?”
So odd. She dressed up as Jesus with a crown of thorns to protest Crown casino opening in Melbourne years ago. I thought she was super political.