Amanda Seyfried said she was forced to hire a bodyguard after facing backlash over comments she made about Charlie Kirk following his killing. In an interview with British GQ published Monday, the actress said the reaction to her description of the conservative political activist as “hateful” became intense enough that she began to fear for her safety. She said she has the right to express her feelings, even when those feelings are unpopular, and argued that public discourse has become increasingly driven by anger, hostility, and an urge to “bash and to tear down.”
Seyfried said the situation escalated to the point where she found herself traveling with security at an airport, which she described as “crazy.” She added that she wants her children to grow up feeling safe to share their opinions, provided those views are not harmful. The actress, who is 40, said the backlash to her remarks represented only a small example of the broader pressure and hostility people can face when they speak openly online.
Charlie Kirk died at age 31 after being shot while on stage at Utah Valley University during a stop on his American Comeback Tour last fall. He and his wife, Erika Kirk, had two children. Seyfried also has two children with her husband, actor Thomas Sadoski.
After the initial uproar, Seyfried defended her post on Instagram, saying people were overlooking “the nuance of humanity.” She wrote that she could be angry about misogyny and racist rhetoric while also believing that Kirk’s murder was disturbing and deplorable. She said no one should have to experience such violence and added that the country is already grieving too many senseless deaths and shootings.
In a separate interview in December 2025, Seyfried again declined to apologize for her comments. She said her remarks were based on reality, footage, and quotes, and insisted she was entitled to her opinion. The actress’s comments continued to draw attention because they touched on both political speech and the broader debate over online reactions to public violence.
