In recent months, the deaths of certain celebrity figures, and the reactions to their passing, have proven just how divisive and unhinged society has become. Whether it’s Rob Reiner, or Charlie Kirk, the dead can’t be left alone anymore.
The latest example is Brigitte Bardot, the cultural French icon, who passed away on Sunday at 91. Some people are so unhinged that they’re trying to attack public figures just for saying RIP about a celebrity who, yes, was right-wing, but left an indelible mark not just in cinema, but in her passionate battle for animal rights activism.
In case you’re unaware, Bardot’s legacy during the second half of her life was political. She held outspoken positions on immigration, religion, and sexuality—especially concerning Islam—which even led to repeated convictions for incitement to racial hatred and homophobia in France. She attacked modern feminism and expressed views that alienated many who once admired her. She never softened, never apologized, and never attempted rehabilitation.
One look at comments, especially on Reddit, reveals people brimming with vile insults directed at Bardot; it’s easy to be a keyboard warrior these days, but her legacy will remain intact, while these fleeting attacks fade into obscurity.
Judging by the reactions to Bardot’s death, you’d think Hitler had just died.
Case in point: after much fan pressure, popular singer Chappell Roan removed her online post where she paid tribute to Bardot and instead posted, “Holy shit i did not know all that insane shit Ms. Bardot stood for obvs I do not condone this. very disappointing to learn.”
Sean Baker, director of “Anora,” took the opposite approach. Instead of bowing down to pressure and apologizing, he doubled down—deleting comments and blocking accounts vilifying Bardot, and celebrating her death. Of course, now Baker is being targeted as a bigot.
Honestly, this is unlike anything I’ve witnessed in my lifetime. Now we’re just celebrating people’s deaths, and both sides of the political aisle have been guilty of that in recent weeks. It’s a disturbing reflection of a culture increasingly obsessed with outrage, where nuance is discarded, and public mourning has become a minefield of moral judgment rather than a space for reflection.
Given the low budget, “Ebenezer” will probably amount to a win for Depp. For West, I hope this was a one-time paycheck before he goes back to R-rated filmmaking.