Jessica Chastain says she wasn’t trying to make a “political statement” when she wore a mask to the awards show last season.
the Zero Dark Thirty Najma, 46, shared in Hollywood ReporterThe annual Tony Nominees round table that has received some criticism after it was seen at several award shows wearing a face mask in order to prevent infection with COVID-19 while handling the lead role on Broadway in the famous Henrik Ibsen play, doll house.
“We were testing every single day on our show, and even if you had no symptoms, if you tested positive for COVID, I was out for a week — and I was meeting people at the stage door who had flown in from Shanghai and traveled from… , “all over the world. To be out of the show for a week? I just felt it was very irresponsible.”
But not everyone understands the instinct to take precautions.
“So I was wearing the mask to the Oscars. I got a lot of criticism for that. A lot of people thought I was making some political statement. I don’t know what they think,” she shared with the group.
Josh Groban, who also participated in the round table, stormed in, telling her, “Theater people knew. We knew.”
“Well, well, good,” Chastain replied. “I’ll tell you, the best thing is, someone at the stage door gave me a mask that said, ‘I’m on Broadway.'” But yeah, the SAG Awards, the Academy Awards, a lot of people were like, “What are you doing?!” I couldn’t get sick. And neither did I. I never missed a show.”
Back in January at the Golden Globe Awards, a Twitter user posted a photo of Chastain in her mask, which matched her sparkly silver gown, along with caption which reads “And you know who didn’t get COVID at the Golden Globes?”
Chastain retweeted the post, adding, “Phew!”
While walking the red carpet at the Golden Globes, Chastain to explain Her reasoning is to cover up the big party.
“I’m doing a play right now in New York. I will doll house. “I’m playing Nora,” she said. I’m really excited about that. I’m a little nervous about getting sick but I got my mask on, and I do both. But you also have to be very careful in the stage because I don’t want to let me down.”
Several other stars contracted the virus after the awards ceremony, including Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Chastain also paired her Gucci gown with a black mask at the Academy Awards, though she appeared unmasked both during the red carpet and while presenting the Best Actress award.
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