Vaccine mandates are the newest cause celebre in La La Land.
Late night hosts are praising President Joe Biden for making them mandatory for businesses with more than 100 employees. Stars are doing all they can to promote vaccines in general, with a vaccinated but sickly Chris Rock joining that chorus this week.
Not every star wants vaccine mandates though, even if they risk the media’s wrath for admitting that.
The following seven stars are putting the brakes on any mandate talk. They don’t share the same reasons for their positions, and a few embrace shaky science along the way. They still remind us we’re allowed to have different views for critical discussions where all the facts have yet to be revealed.
Nicki Minaj
The hip-hop queen caused a kerfuffle when she shared a story of her cousin’s friend who she claims endured extreme testicular growth after receiving the vaccine.
Anecdotes aside, Minaj also spoke out in favor of making up her own mind on getting the vaccine, challenging the progressive groupthink in the process.
“Pray about it,” she said. “Don’t be bullied.”
That matters far more than her cousin’s story. So does her advice for fans to do their own research before moving forward.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for BMI
Doutzen Kroes
Supermodel Doutzen Kroes started the fireworks by sharing an Instagram message suggesting some tried to “force” her to be vaccinated.
“I will not be forced to prove my health to participate in society,” she continued. “I will not accept exclusion of people based on their medical status.
“Freedom of speech is a right worth fighting for but we can only solve this united in peace and love! Pass on the torch of hope and love and speak your truth.”
The backlash proved palpable, but Kroes’ pal Gisele Bündchen cautioned against any pitchfork wielding cyber-mobs aimed at her friend.
“I can’t believe the hate being directed at her because she expressed her feelings. It saddens me to see all the judgment and the lack of empathy in so many peoples hearts. Hate is not the answer.”
Rob Schneider
The “Real Rob” star leveraged his Twitter flock to rage, rage against the vaccines themselves. Suffice to say he’s not keen on anything related to the word “mandate” at this point.
Schneider, who has veered to the Right since leaving “Saturday Night Live,” dubbed the vaccines “unapproved experimental gene therapy” on Twitter in July.
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Jim Breuer
The comic known as “Goat Boy” on “Saturday Night Live” isn’t one to stir controversy. He’s cleaned up his comedy act in recent years, hoping to bring a more positive energy to his craft. Breuer is a touring comic, first and foremost, but the current vaccine debate clearly caught his attention.
Breuer joined a very small group of comedians taking a stand against mandating comedy club patrons be vaccinated … or stay home.
He used Facebook Live to tell fans he canceled several shows that demanded patrons show their vaccination cards.
“What these establishments are doing are wrong. What this dictatorship is doing is wrong,” said Breuer. “I know I’m going to sacrifice a lot of money, but I’m not going to be enslaved by the system, or by money, and nor should anyone that wants to laugh or be entertained.”
Breuer told fans he previously battled COVID, as did his cancer-stricken wife and daughter.
“No matter what your feelings are on it — I don’t care if you’re vaccinated. That’s great. It’s a choice.”
Eric Clapton
The “Layla” superstar dutifully got an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination earlier this year. The results proved frightening for the guitar legend.
He said he suffered “severe” fallout from the first jab, but the symptoms subsided after 10 days. The second dose left him unable to play the guitar, among other simple acts.
“… my hands and feet were either frozen, numb or burning, and pretty much useless for two weeks, I feared I would never play again,” Clapton wrote to a friend about the side effects.”
He eventually recovered and vowed not to play any venue demanding vaccination proof to attend. Several rock sites, including Rolling Stone, mockingly reported that Clapton broke that vow when he performed at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chrissie Mayr
The podcaster and comic says she leaned to the Left during her college days. Now, she’s left the Left behind and backs free speech while bashing Cancel Culture on and off stage.
She also took a stand, as did Breuer and fellow stand-up Tyler Fischer, against clubs mandating patrons be vaccinated before entering the theater.
“I’m a blast on stage but no amount of laughter is worth your freedom and privacy. People should not be coerced, shamed, or intimidated into a medical decision just to have a night out. This is what real authoritarianism looks like. We need to stand together,” she tweeted.
The New York resident prefers touring with Comedians of the Compound, an extension of Anthony Cumia’s Compound Media platform, and updating her podcast.
Travis Tritt
The country superstar took a swift stand against vaccine mandates via a statement to the press. Tritt cited all-American virtues like “liberty for all” in announcing he won’t play venues demanding proof of vaccination.
“If you agree that any form of discrimination should be condemned and that basic human rights are worth defending, I urge you to stand up with me and let your voices be heard. The only way these injustices can be defeated is with a unified front against them. Use your voice to stand for what is right and against what is wrong. Long live freedom!”
The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.