<p>Great American Media stars Carlos and Alexa PenaVega announced the heartbreaking loss of their fourth child, a daughter who died during birth, on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The two stars, who just recently announced their <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/two-more-stars-leave-hallmark-for-great-american-media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first film</a> with Great American Media&#8217;s Pure Flix after doing a number of films with Hallmark Channel, shared the news in a joint Instagram post.</p>
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<p>&#8220;There are never the right words to say when it comes to loss. After a beautiful and peaceful delivery our daughter &#8216;Indy&#8217; was born at rest. It has been a painful journey,&#8221; the couple wrote. &#8220;But in the pain we have found peace. God continues to comfort and hold us in his arms. The prayers from the community around us have been so sustaining in this difficult season.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;This little girl has already changed our lives in so many ways. She was absolutely beautiful. And looked just like daddy. Dark hair and all,&#8221; the post continued. &#8220;Grief has come to us in waves. Moments of feeling absolutely gutted … then moments of feeling blessed by just getting a few moments with her. We can’t understand why things like this happen and we may never get those answers. Indy Rex PenaVega, you completely changed our world. You moved us to a new place. You gave us the community we have been longing for. We love you can’t wait to see how many other lives you change.&#8221;</p>
<p>The Hallmark Channel ex-pats have been together since 2012 — and married since 2014 — and share three children together: son Ocean, 7; son Kingston, 4; and daughter Rio, 2.</p>
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<p>They just recently announced a new film project — &#8220;<a href="https://deadline.com/2024/04/carlos-penavega-alexa-penavega-star-first-movie-great-american-pure-flix-1235881682/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mr. Manhattan</a>,&#8221; available on the streaming platform Pure Flix on May 24 — that confirmed their move from Hallmark to Great American Media. They follow a number of former Hallmark regulars like <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/it-absolutely-breaks-my-heart-candace-cameron-bure-responds-to-backlash-over-marriage-comments">Candace Cameron Bure</a>, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wonder-years-actress-weighs-in-on-candace-cameron-bure-marriage-controversy-disagrees-with-neal-bledsoe-quitting-gaf">Danica McKellar</a>, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-actor-trevor-donovan-plays-against-type-onscreen-on-social-media-and-especially-in-politics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trevor Donovan</a>, and more.</p>


TODAY – Season 72

New Great American Media Stars Share Heartbreaking Loss Of Baby Girl

Celebrities

Great American Family

Hallmark

Movies

U.S.

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two more popular stars from the Hallmark channel have left the network and followed </span><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/candace-cameron-bure"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Candace Cameron Bure</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to Great American Media, which includes the Great American Family channel.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In May, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carlos PenaVega and Alexa PenaVega will appear in the movie “Mr. Manhattan&#8221; on the streaming site Great American Pure Flix, part of the Great American Media company, </span><a href="https://deadline.com/2024/04/carlos-penavega-alexa-penavega-star-first-movie-great-american-pure-flix-1235881682/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Deadline magazine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> reported.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Carlos and Alexa are audience favorites and beloved for their commitment to family on and off the screen, which is the foundation of Mr. Manhattan,” Bill Abbott, President &amp; CEO of Great American Media, said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And we are excited about a number of additional projects in development with these two enormously talented actors,” he added.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">❤️ Welcome to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreatAmericanMedia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GreatAmericanMedia</a> Family, <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCarlosPena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheCarlosPena</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/alexavega?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alexavega</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MrManhattan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MrManhattan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PureFlix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PureFlix</a> <a href="https://t.co/P0irbCBIlB">https://t.co/P0irbCBIlB</a></p>
<p>— Great American Family (@GAfamilyTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/GAfamilyTV/status/1778450020368269427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The real-life husband and wife pair also promoted their latest project on their social media </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5oFoUkOVz8/?hl=en"><span style="font-weight: 400;">accounts</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, sharing a screenshot of the article and reposting the news shared on the Great American Pure Flix account that read, “We’re so excited to announce that </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">@therealcarlospena</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">@vegaalexa</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will star in their first movie for Great American Pure Flix, ‘Mr. Manhattan’, premiering on May 24th!”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The “Full House” star reacted to the post as well, adding, “It’s a good one! You’re gonna enjoy it!!!”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A description of the movie </span><a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/great-american-pure-flix-announces-carlos-penavega-and-alexa-penavega-star-in-mr-manhattan-a-world-premiere-original-motion-picture-streaming-may-24-302114741.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">read</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, “Mason Bradley (Carlos PenaVega) makes a promise to his brother and sister-in-law to be godfather to their newborn son (and future children). Mason has exciting news of his own: he’s just been accepted to Columbia Law School, which comes as a shock to his fiancé, Dani (Alexa PenaVega). Ten years on, Mason is surround by big city life and obsessed with becoming partner in his firm. He and Dani have broken up. Just when Mason feels personal success is at hand, he receives an unimaginable call. His brother and sister-in-law have tragically been killed in a car accident. Mason is now a single father with two children.”</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Great American Pure Flix streaming site is described as </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">the “leading faith and family streaming service that inspires, uplifts and entertains with content that you can confidently stream with the entire family.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bure joined GAF in 2022, where she develops, produces, and stars in movies and TV shows broadcast on the channel. The former “Fuller House” star previously said she left Hallmark because she wanted to share “faith-filled” stories “that have more meaning and purpose and depth behind them.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking to the </span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/candace-cameron-bure-great-american-family-11668205295"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wall Street Journal</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Bure talked about her decision to leave Hallmark for GAF.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment,” Bure said, noting that Hallmark had essentially become “a completely different network” than when she signed on due to a “change of leadership.”</span></p>


Carlos PenaVega (L) and Alexa PenaVega

Two More Stars Leave Hallmark For Great American Media

Candace Cameron Bure

Entertainment

Faith

Hollywood

<p>Hallmark Media CEO Wonya Lucas — who oversaw the company&#8217;s transition into embracing more LGBTQ-friendly storylines — will step down.</p>
<p>According to a <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hallmark-ceo-wonya-lucas-step-down-1235558874/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> published Tuesday by The Hollywood Reporter, Lucas will stay until year&#8217;s end, and will remain on the Hallmark Media board of directors — and Hallmark Companies CEO Mike Perry will manage the transition as she exits.</p>
<p>&#8220;I am honored to have led this company and am tremendously proud of the progress we’ve made by creating an evolved entertainment experience that inspires meaningful, emotionally connected moments for our audiences,&#8221; Lucas said in a statement. &#8220;My passion for the Hallmark brand has grown in deeply rewarding ways and will remain paramount as I continue to help guide Hallmark Media’s future in a more strategically focused capacity.&#8221;</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">After three years at the helm, Hallmark Media President &amp; CEO Wonya Lucas will exit her current role at the end of year, the company announced Tuesday. Lucas will continue to serve on the Hallmark Media Board of Directors <a href="https://t.co/gWPBmYlXCv">https://t.co/gWPBmYlXCv</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) <a href="https://twitter.com/DEADLINE/status/1688964277099692032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Lucas came to Hallmark from TV One in 2020, taking the reins from former CEO and President Bill Abbott after backlash over Hallmark Channel&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hallmark-channel-pulls-ads-featuring-lesbian-kiss-after-backlash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">removal of a commercial</a> featuring a same-sex couple — and one of her <a href="https://deadline.com/2023/08/wonya-lucas-exit-hallmark-media-president-ceo-board-of-directors-1235457553/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">priorities</a> while at the helm was to increase &#8220;representation.&#8221;</p>
<p>Lucas&#8217; arrival followed a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hallmark-channel-apologizes-will-allow-lgbt-ads-promises-to-work-with-glaad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promise from Perry</a> for Hallmark Channel to work with GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ) to create a more inclusive environment and promote more diverse storylines. During her tenure, the channel not only introduced several LGBTQ+ supporting characters but also premiered its first feature film centered on a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hallmarks-self-described-king-of-gay-christmas-wont-comment-on-candace-cameron-bures-marriage-remarks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">same-sex relationship</a>.</p>
<p>But while Lucas the niece of late baseball legend Hank Aaron oversaw a move to more diverse and &#8220;inclusive&#8221; programming, she also oversaw the abrupt exits of a number of the network&#8217;s biggest stars.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/candace-cameron-bure-thrills-fans-by-ditching-progressive-hallmark-for-a-wholesome-and-faith-filled-alternative-cable-network" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Candace Cameron Bure</a>, who headlined a number of holiday films for the network in addition to starring in the Aurora Teagarden mystery series, announced in 2022 that she was joining ex-CEO Bill Abbott&#8217;s new venture — Great American Family — which would keep the focus on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/it-absolutely-breaks-my-heart-candace-cameron-bure-responds-to-backlash-over-marriage-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">traditional marriage</a> and faith-based storylines.</p>
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<p>Among the other actors who made the jump from Hallmark to Great American Family are <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-actor-trevor-donovan-plays-against-type-onscreen-on-social-media-and-especially-in-politics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trevor Donovan</a>, Jennie Garth, Daniel Lissing, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/full-house-star-lori-loughlin-lands-another-movie-role-following-prison-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lori Loughlin</a>, and Jen Lilley.</p>


Logos of American and Canadian local business

CEO Behind Hallmark Channel’s ‘Woke’ Journey Announces Plan To Step Down

CEO Behind Hallmark Channel's 'Woke' Journey Announces Plan To Step Down

LGBTQ

<p>The driver who allegedly caused the crash that killed actor Treat Williams has been charged in his death, Vermont State Police stated in a <a href="http://vtstatepolice.blogspot.com/2023/08/update-no-2-shaftsbury-barracks-fatal.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news release</a>.</p>
<p>Ryan M. Koss, 35, who was driving a Honda Element at the time of the accident, was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/02/entertainment/treat-williams-death-driver-cited-vermont/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> on Tuesday with &#8220;grossly negligent operation [of a motor vehicle] with death resulting.&#8221; Koss voluntarily met with police and was processed on the charge, after which he was released. He is scheduled to appear on the morning of September 25 for his arraignment.</p>
<p>According to the police report, Koss turned into the path of Williams&#8217; motorcycle — and Williams was unable to avoid a crash. The 71-year-old actor was thrown from the motorcycle and sustained critical injuries, and he was later pronounced dead at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. The New York Medical Examiner&#8217;s Office listed severe trauma and blood loss as the official cause of death.</p>
<p>Williams — who starred in &#8220;Hair,&#8221; &#8220;Everwood,&#8221; and The Daily Wire&#8217;s &#8220;Run Hide Fight&#8221; among other projects — spent most of his life outside Hollywood, greatly preferring his property in Vermont. He was survived by his wife, actress Pam Van Sant, and two children.</p>
<p>His daughter Ellie shared a tribute to her late father in mid-July, just a month after he died.</p>
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<p>&#8220;I have never experienced this kind of grief before, so it’s hard to put my thoughts into words, but I’ll try my best for now,&#8221; she wrote in the caption of her Instagram post. &#8220;I have been home with my family in Vermont for a month now, but it feels like just yesterday that I frantically got on a plane home after I got that phone call.&#8221;</p>
<p><b data-stringify-type="bold"><a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a></b></p>
<p>&#8220;It feels like he’s just away filming. However, I keep forgetting that he’s not coming home this time,&#8221; she added. &#8220;This love is a once-in-a-lifetime love. A father&#8217;s incomprehensible love for his daughter, and a daughter&#8217;s boundless love and complete admiration for her father.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Dad, I love you more than words could ever describe. You have given me the best life imaginable, and I could not have ever dreamed of having a better father. Thank you for loving me completely. I know you will walk with me by my side for eternity. Until we find each other in the next life, Ellie Belly,&#8221; she concluded.</p>


Hallmark Channel And Hallmark Movies And Mysteries Winter 2016 TCA Press Tour – Arrivals

Man Charged In Crash That Killed Actor Treat Williams

Car Crash

New York

Vermont

<p>&#8220;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/candace-cameron-bure-thanks-fans-after-gaf-becomes-fastest-growing-network-in-all-of-cable-tv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Great American Family</a>&#8221; network has purchased the Sony Christian streaming site &#8220;PureFlix&#8221; in order to expand its faith-based and family-friendly shows, distancing itself even further from LGBTQ programming available on the Hallmark Channel.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/2023/05/11/pure-flix-and-great-american-media-to-merge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> from the network&#8217;s merger announcement, GAF said that the company &#8220;will build on the multi-faceted, multi-channel family and faith media brands in the portfolio&#8221; as both have sought to &#8220;serve and delight consumers in the family and faith categories.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;In a media environment where programming and distribution business models are in a constant state of flux, this agreement provides a rare opportunity to maximize our potential with the expertise, market knowledge and content creation capabilities of a world class partner like Sony Pictures,&#8221; Great American Media President and CEO, Bill Abbott, said.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#39;Hallmark Channel&#39; Rival &#39;Great American Family&#39; Purchases Christian Streaming Service &#39;PureFlix&#39; To Produce More &quot;Faith And Family-Friendly&quot; Entertainment &#8211; Bounding Into Comics <a href="https://t.co/idEtqeW45Z">https://t.co/idEtqeW45Z</a></p>
<p>&mdash; TheCommonNerd (@CommonNerd1791) <a href="https://twitter.com/CommonNerd1791/status/1661745289399771138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>&#8220;Family-friendly entertainment remains an important segment of the industry, and merging these two entities will create the greatest opportunity to achieve more scale for Pure Flix as it continues to build its subscriber base,&#8221; Ravi Ahuja, Chairman of Global Television Studios and Corporate Development for Sony Pictures added.</p>
<p>&#8220;Bill and the Great American Media team have been successfully leading the Great American Family and Great American Living brands, and we believe they have a winning plan to take Pure Flix to even greater heights,&#8221; Ahuja continued.</p>
<p>Both Abbott and actress Candace Cameron Bure <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/candace-cameron-bure-confirms-network-will-keep-traditional-marriage-at-the-core-while-hallmark-leans-into-lgbtq-stories" target="_blank" rel="noopener">left the Hallmark</a> Channel for Great American Family after its programming and advertising started involving LGBTQ stories.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/full-house-star-candace-cameron-bure-to-create-and-star-in-faith-filled-wholesome-content-for-the-whole-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bure</a> recently spoke to the Wall Street Journal about joining GAF and said it was because she wanted to share &#8220;faith-filled&#8221; stories &#8220;that have more meaning and purpose and depth behind them.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment,&#8221; the actress said, noting that Hallmark had essentially become &#8220;a completely different network&#8221; than when she signed on due to a &#8220;change of leadership.&#8221;</p>
<p>In an earlier <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/full-house-star-candace-cameron-bure-to-create-and-star-in-faith-filled-wholesome-content-for-the-whole-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> about her move to GAF, the &#8220;Full House&#8221; star said &#8220;I&#8217;m very excited to develop heartwarming family and faith-filled programming and make the kind of stories my family and I love to watch. I am constantly looking for ways that I can inspire people to live life with purpose.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/candace-cameron-bure-shares-details-about-upcoming-film-that-honors-u-s-veterans">Candace Cameron Bure Shares Details About Upcoming Film That Honors U.S. Veterans</a></strong></p>


‘Great American Family’ Purchases Christian Streaming Site To Expand Its Faith-Based And Family-Friendly Shows

'Great American Family’ Purchases Christian Streaming Site To Expand Its Faith-Based And Family-Friendly Shows

<p>Great American Family actress Candace Cameron Bure made it clear that she&#8217;s not going to let cancel culture influence her choices, saying that while she realized facing backlash for her personal views could be &#8220;difficult,&#8221; it was nothing compared to what Christians faced in other countries.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.dailywire.com/topic/candace-cameron-bure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bure</a> joined Wednesday&#8217;s episode of the &#8220;<a href="https://thejuliasadlershowpodcast.libsyn.com/candace-cameron-bure-on-full-house-her-faith-journey-being-a-christian-in-hollywood" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unapologetic with Julia Jeffress Sadler</a>&#8221; podcast, and she addressed the fact that critics routinely attack her for voicing her conservative Christian views — particularly in the film business.</p>
<p>&#8220;Cancel culture is real, and it’s difficult, and it’s hard,&#8221; she said, but she immediately pivoted to point out the fact that people outside the United States faced a much more difficult situation if they wanted to preach the Gospel.</p>
<p>&#8220;I know there’s all the places in the world, all different countries, where people get severely persecuted for their faith. I feel like we’ve had this cushion here in North America where someone yells at us or someone says a mean, negative thing and our feelings get so hurt over it,&#8221; she said, adding, &#8220;And that isn’t nearly the persecution that other people go through from being a Christian in other countries.&#8221;</p>
<p>Bure went on to say that she did not intend to allow critics to change her, arguing that it was even more important for Christians to stand up and stand firm in their beliefs when they were faced with backlash.</p>
<p>&#8220;It’s hard, no matter what. Especially when you are a compassionate person and you have a heart for people. But it’s important that we speak truth in love, ’cause, listen, nobody’s gonna change, nobody’s gonna listen to you when it comes out angry, when it comes out in a harsh way, but it’s important that we don’t back down,&#8221; she explained.</p>
<p>After Bure&#8217;s abrupt exit from the Hallmark Channel — which she attributed to a change in leadership and a shift away from faith-based stories that focused on traditional values and marriages — she faced a wave of backlash accusing her of <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/hallmarks-self-described-king-of-gay-christmas-wont-comment-on-candace-cameron-bures-marriage-remarks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bigotry</a> and of <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/make-your-money-honey-one-tree-hill-actress-slams-candace-cameron-bure-over-marriage-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">selling out</a>.</p>
<p>Bure <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/my-choice-is-clear-great-american-family-actor-exits-stage-left-over-candace-cameron-bure-marriage-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responded</a> by saying that she loved everyone — even those who hated everything she stood for – and confirming that she would stand in her faith despite their attacks.</p>
<p><strong>LISTEN:</strong></p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" style="border: none;" title="Libsyn Player" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/25853328/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/000000/" width="100%" height="90" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


‘It’s Hard No Matter What’: Candace Cameron Bure Says Cancel Culture Can’t Force Her To Back Down

Candace Cameron Bure Says Cancel Culture Can't Force Her To Back Down

Cancel Culture

Marriage

<p>&#8220;Full House&#8221; star Lori Loughlin mounts comeback ahead of the premiere of her upcoming romantic comedy movie on the Great American Family network after she served prison time for the college admission scheme.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lori-loughlin">58-year-old</a> actress joins actor James Tupper in the GAF original movie &#8220;Fall Into Winter&#8221; when it debuts on the network on Jan. 28, <a href="https://deadline.com/2023/01/great-american-family-lori-loughlin-rom-com-fall-into-winter-1235237940/">Deadline magazine</a> reported.</p>
<p>The movie marks the former &#8220;Fuller House&#8221; star&#8217;s first role in a rom-com movie since she served two months behind bars for her involvement in the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/feds-uncover-massive-college-entrance-exam-cheating-plot-n982136">Varsity Blues college admissions scandal</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lori Loughlin &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/MrJamesTupper?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MrJamesTupper</a> star in our third <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreatAmericanWinter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GreatAmericanWinter</a> movie, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FallIntoWinter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FallIntoWinter</a>! Premiering Saturday, January 28 at 8/7c, on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreatAmericanFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GreatAmericanFamily</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeHome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeHome</a> ❄️ <a href="https://t.co/bxceBLHgfS">pic.twitter.com/bxceBLHgfS</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Great American Family (@GAfamilyTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/GAfamilyTV/status/1616479469228654599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>In May 2020, she and husband fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, plead guilty to a variety of conspiracy charges after paying $500,000 to get their two daughters, Isabella Rose and Olivia Jade, into the University of Southern California as phony rowing recruits.</p>
<p>The &#8220;Every Christmas Has A Story&#8221; star later served two months in prison, while her husband got five-months behind bars. Loughlin was released in December, while Giannulli remained behind bars. Giannulli was then released early on April 2, 2021 and served the remainder of his sentence at home, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/04/03/mossimo-giannulli-released-prison-serving-rest-time-home/7075614002/">USA Today</a> noted.</p>
<p>In December 2021, the &#8220;When Calls The Heart&#8221; star <a href="https://deadline.com/2021/09/lori-loughlin-reprise-abigail-stanton-when-calls-the-heart-season-2-when-hope-calls-gac-family-return-to-acting-college-admissions-scandal-1234845738/">made headlines</a> when news surfaced that she would be reprising her role as Abigail Stanton in a spinoff of the her hit show in one called &#8220;When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas.&#8221; She appeared in a two-part Season 2 premiere of the series.</p>
<p>Executive producer of &#8220;When Hope Calls&#8221; Brian Bird said Loughlin joining GAC Family (renamed GAF) was all about &#8220;second chances,&#8221; as previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/from-full-house-to-the-big-house-lori-loughlins-quest-for-redemption">reported</a>.</p>
<p>&#8220;Taking this photo lifted my heart in so many ways,&#8221; Bird shared. &#8220;Offering second chances in this messed up world are [sic] just a better way to live.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Love seeing Lori Loughlin back on screen as Abigail Stanton … this time in Brookfield and #WhenHopeCalls,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Loughlin getting hired at GAC Family is a curious turn of events that could mean the renaissance of her career.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Fall Into Winter&#8221; is Loughlin&#8217;s first TV movie since spending time behind bars. It debuts on the network on Saturday Jan. 28 at 8 p.m.</p>
<p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lori-loughlin-sentenced-to-two-months-in-prison-for-college-admissions-scandal">Lori Loughlin Sentenced To Two Months In Prison For College Admissions Scandal</a></strong></p>


Lori Loughlin-2

Actress Lori Loughlin Mounts Comeback With Rom-Com Movie Premiere Following Prison Time

Full House

Lori Loughlin

Prison

<p><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/candace-cameron-bure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Candace Cameron Bure</a> thanked fans for their support after her new channel — the Great American Family — became the &#8220;fastest growing network&#8221; in all of cable TV.</p>
<p>In a post to her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/candacecbure/3007673845296784333/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram Story</a>, the 46-year-old actress shared a press release from the Great American Media about closing out the fourth quarter as the &#8220;fastest growing network in all of cable television.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Thank you for finding us and watching Great American Family Channel,&#8221; Bure wrote over the press release from the network.</p>
<p>In a tweet from GAF, the network shared &#8220;Great news for Great American Media&#8217;s #GreatAmericanFamily to end 2022 &amp; an even better way to start 2023. Happy New Year to everyone who helped make this happen, from people on-camera &amp; off, but especially our viewers!”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great news for Great American Media&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreatAmericanFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GreatAmericanFamily</a> to end 2022 &amp; an even better way to start 2023. Happy New Year to everyone who helped make this happen, from people on-camera &amp; off, but especially our viewers! 🎉<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreatAmericanChristmas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GreatAmericanChristmas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeHome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeHome</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreatAmericanWinter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GreatAmericanWinter</a> <a href="https://t.co/HwCtF021II">pic.twitter.com/HwCtF021II</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Great American Family (@GAfamilyTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/GAfamilyTV/status/1610304287585845248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>In the press release, the network shared that in only the channel&#8217;s second year, it ranked &#8220;#1 in Total Day ratings growth in Households (+113%),&#8221; ages 18-49 (+100%) and total viewership (+116%), per Nielsen.</p>
<p>It also noted that the network came in #1 in &#8220;Primetime ratings growth in Households (+128%) among all cable networks.&#8221;</p>
<p>The press release said that the jump in growth was a direct result of the &#8220;network&#8217;s Great American Christmas franchise, which featured 18 original Christmas movies&#8221; that included Bure, among other fan favorites Danica McKellar, Gladys Knight, and more.</p>
<p>Bure recently shared what kind of Christmas programming fans could expect from the network that planned to go head-to-head with The Hallmark Channel during the holidays.</p>
<p>The &#8220;Full House&#8221; star left Hallmark to join GAF to tell what she called &#8220;faith-filled&#8221; stories, as previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/full-house-star-candace-cameron-bure-to-create-and-star-in-faith-filled-wholesome-content-for-the-whole-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/full-house-star-candace-cameron-bure-to-create-and-star-in-faith-filled-wholesome-content-for-the-whole-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> in April, Bure shared how excited she was to be developing &#8220;heartwarming family and faith-filled programming and make the kind of stories my family and I love to watch. I am constantly looking for ways that I can inspire people to live life with purpose. GAC fits my brand perfectly.&#8221;</p>
<p>Later, in a Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/candace-cameron-bure-great-american-family-11668205295" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a>, Bure explained that she wanted to share &#8220;stories that have more meaning and purpose and depth behind them.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment,&#8221; the actress said, noting that Hallmark had essentially become &#8220;a completely different network&#8221; than when she signed on due to a &#8220;change of leadership.&#8221;</p>
<p>Hallmark started developing more LGBTQ storylines, including the first original holiday movie focused on a same-sex couple, called &#8220;The Holiday Sitter,&#8221; which premiered December 11 on the channel.</p>


Celebrities Visit Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family”

Candace Cameron Bure Thanks Fans After GAF Becomes ‘Fastest Growing Network’ In All Of Cable TV

<p>Actress Lacey Chabert made it clear that she was standing by the Hallmark Channel after former network star Candace Cameron Bure left to pursue a relationship with competing channel Great American Family.</p>
<p>Bure, who made a number of Christmas movies and starred in a mystery-movie franchise at Hallmark, announced the surprise move in early 2022. She later explained that the change in leadership at Hallmark had factored into her decision — as did her personal faith and her desire to keep telling stories with traditional marriage at the center of the story.</p>
<p>The &#8220;Fuller House&#8221; star&#8217;s comments drew backlash from a number of people, ranging from long-time co-star <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/candace-cameron-bure-unfollows-jodie-sweetin-as-she-backs-jojo-siwa-in-traditional-marriage-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jodie Sweetin</a> to &#8220;One Tree Hill&#8221; and former Hallmark actress <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/make-your-money-honey-one-tree-hill-actress-slams-candace-cameron-bure-over-marriage-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hilarie Burton Morgan</a>. Actor Neal Bledsoe, who had also made the move to Great American Family, <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/my-choice-is-clear-great-american-family-actor-exits-stage-left-over-candace-cameron-bure-marriage-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abruptly cut ties</a> with the network in the wake of Bure&#8217;s comments.</p>
<p>Chabert, who took over some of the Christmas promotional duties in Bure&#8217;s absence, defended Hallmark. Saying that she had &#8220;found a real home&#8221; with the channel, Chabert explained in a recent <a href="https://www.vulture.com/article/lacey-chabert-interview-hallmark-christmas-movies.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> with Vulture: &#8220;I’m able to be more of who I am here than possibly anywhere else I’ve worked.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Any shift I’ve felt has been embracing our creative ideas,&#8221; Chabert said, responding to Bure&#8217;s claim that the change in leadership at Hallmark had made the network a very different place. &#8220;And it’s my responsibility to the audience who continue to tune into my movies that I give the best I have to offer. That’s always my mission. I’ll never abandon what Hallmark means for me, which is that everything is centered around the heart. I don’t think there are any plans for that to change anytime soon.&#8221;</p>
<p>The &#8220;Mean Girls&#8221; alum refused to go any further, however, explaining that she bore no ill will toward the actors and actresses who had chosen to leave the Hallmark Channel.</p>
<p>&#8220;You know what, I wish everybody the best. I really can’t comment on it further other than I care about everybody involved,&#8221; she said.</p>
<p>Chabert has appeared in some 30 movies during her tenure with the Hallmark Channel and doesn&#8217;t appear to be slowing down any time soon.</p>


‘Mean Girls’ Actress Defends Hallmark After Candace Cameron Bure Exit: ‘Everything Is Centered Around The Heart’

'Mean Girls' Actress Defends Hallmark After Candace Cameron Bure Exit: 'Everything Is Centered Around The Heart'

Christmas

<p>Actor Jonathan Bennett has declared himself the &#8220;king of gay Christmas&#8221; after producing and starring in Hallmark Channel&#8217;s &#8220;<a href="https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/the-holiday-sitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Holiday Sitter</a>&#8221; — the network&#8217;s first holiday romance centered around a same-sex couple — which debuts on Sunday evening.</p>
<p><a href="https://pagesix.com/2022/12/10/jonathan-bennett-jokes-hes-the-gay-king-of-christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bennett</a>, who made a name for himself starring opposite actress <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/lindsay-lohan-reacts-to-news-that-her-return-to-acting-in-christmas-film-hits-number-1-on-netflix/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lindsay Lohan</a> in Tina Fey&#8217;s smash hit teen comedy &#8220;Mean Girls,&#8221; plays a hard-working bachelor who finds himself stuck babysitting his sister&#8217;s children over Christmas. Completely clueless about taking care of kids, he relies on the help of a handsome neighbor — after which one thing, apparently, leads to another.</p>
<p>GLAAD&#8217;s Anthony Allen Ramos actually coined the phrase, introducing Bennett as his guest in an interview shared via YouTube on Thursday.</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m so excited. Sam is, of course, played by — I&#8217;m just going to say it — the king of gay Christmas, Jonathan Bennett,&#8221; Ramos said, prompting laughter from Bennett. &#8220;I love it, how are you?&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I mean — I love that title!&#8221; Bennett exclaimed. &#8220;I think I&#8217;m going to change that on my — on my Instagram right now. Jonathan Bennett, the king of gay Christmas! I&#8217;ll take it. I&#8217;ll take it.&#8221;</p>
<p>Bennett, who is openly gay and has been married to partner Jaymes Vaughan since earlier this year, went on to talk at length about how much he had enjoyed being with the film from start to finish as a story writer and producer. As an aside, he noted that perhaps his future might be in directing: &#8220;Maybe I should be a director one day because I feel like that&#8217;s what I love doing.&#8221;</p>
<p>Ramos turned the topic to Great American Family (GAF) actress <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/it-absolutely-breaks-my-heart-candace-cameron-bure-responds-to-backlash-over-marriage-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Candace Cameron Bure</a>, who recently sparked controversy when she said her move from Hallmark Channel was part of a plan to tell more faith-based stories that focused on traditional marriages. Actor Neal Bledsoe even followed her comments with an <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/my-choice-is-clear-great-american-family-actor-exits-stage-left-over-candace-cameron-bure-marriage-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abrupt exit</a> from GAF.</p>
<p>&#8220;I would imagine that when someone like Candace Cameron Bure says — you know, building off of what you just said — when she says, you know, &#8216;I only want to make stories that are about traditional families,'&#8221; Ramos said. &#8220;Obviously, Candace previously had a long history with Hallmark, now is doing her own thing at Great American Family — I would imagine that probably hurt you and probably hit pretty close to home with everything that you&#8217;re trying to do at Hallmark.&#8221;</p>
<p>Bennett declined to take the obvious bait, however, simply stating that he was happy with the direction Hallmark was taking with regard to bringing in more inclusive storylines — and adding that he couldn&#8217;t speak for what any other networks were doing.</p>
<p>&#8220;I can’t speak to what other people are doing on their network, but all I know is that I’m proud to be a part of Hallmark Channel. [They’re] making extremely huge strides in making sure that there is inclusivity in their programming to make sure that everyone feels like they have a seat at the holiday table,&#8221; he told Page Six.</p>
<p>&#8220;Hallmark Channel has done such a great job of making sure that everyone knows that Christmas is for everyone and that the Hallmark Channel is for everyone … and has created a safe place for queer filmmakers to tell stories.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>WATCH:</strong></p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Jonathan Bennett Talks LGBTQ Hallmark Film &#039;The Holiday Sitter&#039;, and Being &quot;King Of Gay Christmas&quot;" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MH1MaUF9tKw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>


Los Angeles Premiere Of Hulu’s “Welcome To Chippendales” – Arrivals

Hallmark’s Self-Described ‘King Of Gay Christmas’ Won’t Comment On Candace Cameron Bure’s Marriage Remarks

Hallmark's Self-Described 'King Of Gay Christmas' Won't Comment On Candace Cameron Bure's Marriage Remarks

<p>Actor Neal Bledsoe announced plans to cut ties with the Great American Family (GAF) network over recent comments from outspoken Christian actress <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/it-absolutely-breaks-my-heart-candace-cameron-bure-responds-to-backlash-over-marriage-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Candace Cameron Bure</a>.</p>
<p>Bledsoe said that in order to stand up for the LGBTQ+ community, he felt he had no choice but to leave the network. His comments come after Bure said that the GAF would focus on stories about traditional marriage.</p>
<p>&#8220;My life wouldn’t be where it is today without the love, support, and guidance of the LGBTQIA+ community,&#8221; Bledsoe began in a lengthy statement published Monday by <a href="https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/neal-bledsoe-leaves-great-american-family-lgbtq-1235449812/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Variety</a>, explaining that his life had often been guided and shaped by friends and mentors who were a part of that community and he owed them his unwavering support.</p>
<p>&#8220;As someone who struggled as a young man with our society’s extremely narrow definition of masculinity, it was their community that provided me with refuge and a guiding light when my life felt lost. And now, if I cannot stand up for that community in their time of need, my debt to them means nothing,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;So, I want to be very clear: my support for the LGBTQIA+ community is unconditional – nothing is worth my silence or their ability to live and love freely in a world that we are lucky enough to share with them.&#8221;</p>
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<p>Bledsoe went on to say that he had stepped back from promoting the Christmas movie he just made with GAF, saying that he could not go ahead with supporting a network that he believed was fostering exclusion and division.</p>
<p>The issue at heart, Bledsoe argued, was not that he didn&#8217;t believe that the people behind GAF did not have the right to free speech. His problem was that an executive had spoken &#8220;about deliberate exclusion on behalf of an entire network.&#8221;</p>
<p>Bledsoe did not rule out working with GAF in the future, but said that as long as the executives remained on their current trajectory, it was not likely to happen any time soon.</p>
<p>&#8220;As an artist, I yearn to be proud of the work I create. But, the thought that my work could be used to deliberately discriminate against anyone horrifies and infuriates me,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I hope GAF will change, but until everyone can be represented in their films with pride, my choice is clear. I look forward to working with creators who put no limits on the stories we tell and follow through on their message of values with open arms.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="https://dailywire.com/news/it-absolutely-breaks-my-heart-candace-cameron-bure-responds-to-backlash-over-marriage-comments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bure responded</a> to the backlash from her comments, saying that her intent was to continue to love all people, even if they hated everything she stood for.</p>


amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2018 – Arrivals

‘My Choice Is Clear’: Great American Family Actor Exits Stage Left Over Candace Cameron Bure Marriage Comments

Great American Family Actor Neal Bledsoe Exits Stage Left Over Candace Cameron Bure Marriage Comments

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There’s no denying that </span><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/candace-cameron-bure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Candace Cameron Bure</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has become a key figure in opposition to the LGBTQ agenda in Hollywood whether she likes it or not.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Examining Bure’s original comments that set off a firestorm reveals nothing homophobic, hateful, rude, or close-minded. In fact, the 46-year-old “Full House” alum and the head of Great American Family TV network (GAF) Bill Abbott even left the door open for alternative lifestyle content in the future.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That doesn’t matter, though. In today’s climate, the mere fact that GAF’s Christmas movie lineup doesn’t include same-sex storylines right now is enough to ostracize Bure even further from her celebrity peers. Big-name stars are speaking out against her, mainstream media outlets are furious, and the Twitter mob has come out in force.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s all because the former Hallmark actress said GAF movies will focus on “traditional marriage” between one man and one woman – for now.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The controversy reached a fever pitch in mid-November when The Wall Street Journal released an interview with Bure during which she discussed her motivations for leaving The Hallmark Channel for GAF. Prior to her departure, Bure’s career had flourished as she starred in over two dozen films for Hallmark, with more than 10 of them Christmas-themed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Then Bure announced she was following former Hallmark CEO Abbott to GAF, where she’d be acting and producing projects of a similar nature.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My heart wants to tell stories that have more meaning and purpose and depth behind them,” the actress</span><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/candace-cameron-bure-confirms-network-will-keep-traditional-marriage-at-the-core-while-hallmark-leans-into-lgbtq-stories"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> told WSJ</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of making the switch. “I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The “Full House” star spoke glowingly of GAF’s mission without dissing her former network. But then the interviewer asked Bure if there were any plans for same-sex storylines at GAF. She responded that there were not.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core,” the actress replied. Abbott chimed in, saying gay romances weren’t in the plans, but also weren’t explicitly forbidden. “It’s certainly the year 2022, so we’re aware of the trends. There’s no whiteboard that says, ‘Yes, this’ or ‘No, we’ll never go here,’” he told the publication.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This comment set off the activists, who were furious that Bure would dare vocalize what she was so clearly doing. The interview was released just as The Hallmark Channel gets ready to debut their first-ever Christmas movie feature two gay characters in the leading roles. “The Holiday Sitter” premieres December 11.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The network had included gay characters in their films before but never as the featured storyline. Hallmark is responding to intense pressure from LGBTQ advocacy groups and had recently declared their aim of “creating a Hallmark experience where everyone feels welcome.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Besides the Hallmark push, there’s another likely reason the WSJ interviewer asked about gay couples during the interview. Abbott left Hallmark just after a controversy that arose when he refused to air a commercial for the wedding planning site Zola that featured two women kissing. The TV exec never cited that incident as his reason for leaving Hallmark for GAF, but it was rumored to be a major factor.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meanwhile, George Zaralidis, VP of network programming for Hallmark parent company Crown Media Family, told </span><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/hallmark-says-it-active-negotiations-include-lgbtq-storylines-its-holiday-n1233914"><span style="font-weight: 400;">NBC</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in 2020 that “diversity and inclusion” was “a top priority” and that they “[looked] forward to making some exciting programming announcements in the coming months, including announcements about projects featuring LGBTQ storylines, characters, and actors.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shortly after that announcement, Abbott stepped down to join what was then called Great American Channel and ostensibly create a more traditionally-focused rival to go up against the progressive Hallmark Channel.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His next order of business was recruiting big-name stars to help make the network successful. Bure was one of the biggest scores for GAF.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The “Full House” alum is well-liked in the Hollywood community, but her comments about focusing on “traditional marriage” while working for GAF have inspired many fellow celebrities to speak out against her.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, “One Tree Hill” actress Hilarie Burton bluntly referred to Bure as a “bigot” for her remarks.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I don’t remember Jesus liking hypocrites like Candy. But sure. Make your money, honey. You ride that prejudice wave all the way to the bank,” Burton </span><a href="https://twitter.com/HilarieBurton/status/1592308429338869762" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tweeted</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Honestly, I can’t believe after everything that went down just a few months ago, that she would not only create a movie with intention of excluding LGBTQIA+, but then also talk about it in the press. This is rude and hurtful to a whole community of people,” pop star JoJo Siwa, who came out as a member of the LGBTQ community in 2021, shared on Instagram.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bure’s former “Full House” co-star Jodie Sweeten indirectly slammed her former on-screen sister by responding to Siwa’s post with a comment saying, “You know I love you.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Football player and self-described “queer jew fairy in stiletto nails” Matt Bernstein </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClASGbJD0LR/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">posted</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, &#8220;You went decades without ever having to see an LGBTQ character on screen. Now, we&#8217;re in 1 out of 5 movies. Sorry if this disturbs you. Sending thoughts and prayers,&#8221; to which country star Maren Morris wrote, “Make DJ Gay Again,” referring to Bure’s “Full House” character.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Ellis said Bure’s comments were “irresponsible and hurtful.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The backlash got so extreme that Bure decided to post a statement to clarify her position. She didn’t apologize, but instead reiterated the Christian perspective of loving everyone, including her enemies.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I would like to address my comments on Great American Family’s programming as reported in ‘The Wall Street Journal.’ All of you who know me, know beyond question that I have great love and affection for all people,” Bure shared.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It absolutely breaks my heart that anyone would ever think I intentionally would want to offend and hurt anyone. It saddens me that the media is often seeking to divide us, even around a subject as comforting and merry as Christmas movies. But, given the toxic climate in our culture right now, I shouldn’t be surprised. We need Christmas more than ever.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bure described herself as a “devoted Christian” who believes that “every human being bears the image of God.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I am called to love all people, and I do. If you know me, you know that I am a person who loves fiercely and indiscriminately. My heart yearns to build bridges and bring people one step closer to God, to love others well, and to simply be a reflection of God’s huge love for all of us,” she continued.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The actress addressed her critics with a message of love.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“To the members of the media responsible for using this opportunity to fan flames of conflict and hate, I have a simple message: I love you anyway,” Bure wrote. “To those who hate what I value and who are attacking me online: I love you. To those who have tried to assassinate my character: I love you. To everyone reading this, of any race, creed, sexuality, or political party, including those who have tried to bully me with name-calling, I love you.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She said her projects aren’t aimed at “proselytizing” but are meant to be “celebrating God’s greatness in our lives.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While no mainstream celebrities have spoken up in Bure’s defense yet, the mom of three did receive some kind words courtesy of her 24-year-old daughter. Natasha Bure shared in her Instagram stories some of her “favorite thing[s]” about her mom.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“How much she loves Jesus and how firm in her faith she stands,” Natasha wrote. “She is bold. She is kind. She is so creative and has one of the greatest hearts. I look up to her in many, many ways. I love you, @candacebure.”</span></p>


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