Heart Evangelista. Image: Instagram/@iamhearte
Actress Heart Evangelista reacted to harsh criticism about her being an “out of touch privileged” individual amid the COVID-19 crisis. She said the comment caused her “so much sadness,” adding she has not done anything wrong.
A netizen had called out Evangelista on Twitter for her “distasteful” posts on social media that showed her wearing fashionable personal protective equipment (PPE) and labeling it as the “new normal.” The critic said that Evangelista’s new normal–with her branded clothes, styled hair and expensive jewelry–did not “reflect the realities of what we’re all facing right now.”
“The out of touch privileged, in the context of race and class, is a problem not only in the [United States,] but in the Philippines as well,” a certain @pilar_recto posted via Twitter last Wednesday, June 3.
The netizen showed two screengrabs from Evangelista’s Instagram page: one displaying Evangelista’s complete post and the other showing the netizen’s comment to it.
The actress donned a dark green branded PPE and used the hashtag #TheNewNormalwithLoveMarie on Instagram.
“Your hashtag and posts are so problematic…,” @pilar_recto commented. “Wake up, Heart. You have the platform, power, and position to do something relevant and different for people.”
The out of touch privileged, in the context of race and class, is a problem not only in the U.S., but in the Philippines as well. pic.twitter.com/QIyVnNcBWS
— pilar_recto (@pilar_recto) June 3, 2020
Evangelista replied to the netizen’s Twitter post today, June 5.
“YOU have caused me so much sadness,” she said. “I [honestly] don’t know what to do about myself. [For two days,] you’ve been at it.”
“I express myself through my art and fashion,” she added. “I have not done anything wrong. Using my image to create hate is wrong.” Nevertheless, Evangelista wished the netizen well.
YOU have caused me so much sadness.I honesty don’t know what to do about myself.2 days you’ve been at it.I express myself through my art and fashion.I have not done anything wrong .Using my image to create hate is wrong… still I will wish you well.God bless https://t.co/lwldMAeCP1
— LoveMarie O. Escudero (@heart021485) June 4, 2020
“This is me and I will never pretend to be someone I’m not,” the actress added in a separate post. “I will not live my life unhappy no matter how things get.”
“I will fight for what’s right in my heart and I will use all the love I know for a purpose,” Evangelista declared.
This is me and I will never pretend to be someone I’m not .I will not live my life unhappy no matter how things get .I will fight for what’s right in my heart and I will use all the love I know for a purpose .Life is too short People…you never know.
— LoveMarie O. Escudero (@heart021485) June 4, 2020
Recently Evangelista broke her silence about the controversial anti-terror bill and expressed her opposition to it on her Instagram page yesterday, June 4.
“I don’t usually talk about my political views because I am no expert but today, I’m choosing to speak out and to use my platform to take a stand…,” the actress said. “I cannot support a law that could easily be abused just because they say that they won’t abuse it.”
According to the bill, any person who will propose, incite, conspire on and facilitate terrorist acts will be penalized. A suspect could also be detained without a warrant of arrest for at least 14 days. The Commission on Human Rights explained that the broad and vague definition of terrorism in the bill might lead to avenues of abuse.
Aside from reacting to local social issues, the actress has also been busy with various COVID-19 relief efforts during the community quarantine. She has sent packs of Vitamin C to the “unsung heroes” of the country including health workers, delivery drivers and security guards. She has also been giving financial aid and grocery supplies to the less fortunate.
With the Department of Education planning to integrate online classes with its “blended learning” strategy in the upcoming school year, Evangelista announced that she will be handing out tablets to students in need. /ra
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