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The 5 Worst Celebrity Responses to Coronavirus

Some of us struggle to survive. Others complain on Instagram.

Photo by Hahn Lionel/ABACA/Shutterstock

Sometimes being a celebrity with millions of dollars leads a person to become just a tad out of touch with the rest of humanity.

While millions of Americans struggle to pay rent, afford food, and take care of their children in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, some celebrities have more pressing things to worry about—things like how unfair it is that they can't do whatever they want, and also what even is coronavirus? These are the five worst celebrity responses to coronavirus, ranked:

5. Gal Gadot

For Gal Gadot, six days in self-quarantine got her "feeling a bit philosophical." This manifested in the Wonder Woman star employing the help of her famous pals to put together an all-celebrity cover of John Lennon's Imagine. In fairness to Gal Godot—and unlike the other celebrities on this list—her heart is absolutely in the right place. It's a sweet sentiment, but at the same time, the result is just kind of off-putting. The singing isn't great, but more importantly, why do a group of multi-millionaires need to "imagine" a better world when, if they combined their vast resources, they could actually make a pretty substantial difference? At the very least, a lot of lower-level people in the film industry are currently out of work, and this small group of "dreamers" has hundreds of millions of dollars between them. Maybe they could find a way to help?

4. Jared Leto

Jared Leto is consistently terrible, so posting on Instagram about missing the entire start of the coronavirus pandemic hitting stateside due to a 12-day desert meditation retreat is 100% in-character. Leto's post feels less like a genuine show of concern than a humblebrag about being on a desert retreat and a reminder that he has many friends. How can one man possibly be so awful?

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A post shared by JARED LETO (@jaredleto) on Mar 16, 2020 at 10:26pm PDT

3. Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens had one job during the pandemic, and that was sitting in her mansion and basking in her wealth. Instead, she decided to use her time to make a video seemingly complaining about the massive response to the virus. "Even if everybody gets it, like yeah, people are going to die, which is terrible... but inevitable?" said Hudgens without a single shred of care for older and immunocompromised people who are currently living in fear. At least she apologized afterwards.

2. Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh

In the comedy world, there are few improv theaters better known than Upright Citizens Brigade. Founded and co-owned by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, UCB has launched the careers of many comedians and comedy writers. While the theater has received flack in the past for not paying their performers, they do employ a number of staff members including teachers, cafe employees, and technicians. Or at least they did before the coronavirus hit, after which they immediately fired nearly everyone. Of course, it's understandable that business need to make cuts, but when one of the owners has 30 million dollars to her name, it's not right to leave already low-paid employees floundering in a crisis.

1. Evangeline Lilly

For whatever reason, Ant-Man and the Wasp actress Evangeline Lilly is currently on a crusade against quarantining herself or her children in the face of COVID-19, because apparently nothing says superhero like helping to speed up a pandemic. So while others worry about their own well-being and care for their communities, Evangeline Lilly sends her probably infected kids to gymnastic camp, and then seems to b*tch about Marshall Law from Tekken, for god knows why.

"Where we are right now feels a lot too close to Marshall Law [sic] for my comfort already, all in the name of a respiratory flu. It's unnerving…Let's be vigilant right now. And kind. Watchful and gracious — keeping a close eye on our leaders, making sure they don't abuse this moment to steal away more freedoms and grab more power."

Major yikes.

NYC's comedy-verse, once a bastion for a revolving door of homogeneous dudes, is shifting in a new direction––gayer, funnier, and more inclusive. You might think that the rise of online comedy would render live performances obsolete, but New York's alt-comedy scene is thriving with a new generation of LGBTQ and POC comics taking center stage.

Sure, a viral tweet might help launch someone's career, but more often it's the community that uplifts and supports its members' work via podcasts or show appearances and creative collaboration. NYC's comedy scene is a pretty inspiring showcase of solidarity in an otherwise cutthroat entertainment industry. Here are six acts that you should know if you don't already:

Ayo Edebiri

As an improv-er, standup comedian, and published New Yorker writer, Ayo Edebiri makes comedy look effortless. Her bubbly stage persona is tempered by her dark outlook on modern urban life. She's such a joy to watch that you might not even notice the existential dread creeping up on you! As she bounces around the stage, her whip-smart material covers all the basic tenets of the cultural zeitgeist––gentrification, uniq-lo joggers, and Mark Ruffalo's extensive filmography.



Jaboukie Young-White

If you haven't heard of prodigious comedian Jaboukie Young-White, what are you even doing? Hailing from Chicago, Jaboukie has made a name for himself this past year after being added as a correspondent to The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, as well as making a standup appearance on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show, where he came out to his parents as gay. JY-W gained popularity on Twitter, where he offers some of the freshest takes on millennial culture. Though he draws a lot of his material from feeling alienated, his content sheds light in a way that makes people feel a little more connected. From talking about gay bugs to health insurance, he never seems too worried. In many ways, Young-White represents a new generation of comics democratically elected by the internet. Lots have caught on to the hype– he's written for Big Mouth and American Vandal, and made appearances on Crashing and Rough Night. Currently, there are talks of him starring alongside Dumplin' star Danielle Macdonald in Bo Burnham's next project. We wouldn't be surprised if there's a Netflix Special somewhere in his future.


Larry Owens

Larry Owens is the alt-comedy scene's bona fide Sondheim aficionado. He's a beacon of light among the sometimes dreary, self-effacing standup sets. Owens can dive into classic standards just as easily as One Direction hits, all the while mixing in riffs on everyday life struggles in between. His self-assured diva energy reminds me of Tituss Burgess' portrayal of Titus Andromedon in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. With an angelic voice and serious comedy chops, Owens is the ultimate hilarious, musical package.

Rachel Sennott

If you're a sad e-girl trying to Instagram a picture of a dead bird, Rachel Sennott will not hesitate to put you on blast. Her topical comedy targets all of the worst parts of millennial and influencer culture, never shying away from poking fun at herself. As a writer, standup, and actress, Sennott has written and starred in her own original shorts and appeared on HBO's High Maintenance. Whether she's exposing Bushwick fuckboys or gingham-clad influencers on a picnic, Sennott uses her interpersonal life to inform and fuel her unique brand of sardonic, self-aware humor.


Sydnee Washington

After Sydnee Washington spent a decade working as a bottle girl, she transitioned to the realm of standup comedy to offer a fresh perspective. She has her own show Death of a Bottle Girl and co-hosts TheUnofficial Expert podcast, where she offers insight on New York's nightlife scene. She's like the funny, more experienced older sister you never had. Now a resident of the alt-comedy scene, Washington presents her razor-sharp takes from her own vantage point as a queer black woman in the city.

Ana Fabrega

Ana Fabrega can do just about anything. Though she started off working in finance, Fabrega emerged as one of the most consistent (and funniest) members of the comedy scene. You may have seen her in Portlandia orHigh Maintenance, or perhaps you came across her through her 10-second videos on Twitter where she does micro-bits, impressions, and oddly specific characters. Now, Fabrega is working on the HBO show Los Espookys (co-written with Julio Torres and Fred Armisen). She may not be new to the scene, but she's definitely one to keep your eye on.




Sara is a music and culture writer who lives in Brooklyn. Her work has previously appeared in PAPER magazine and Stereogum.


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