Actress Jessica Chastain says she’s faced criticism for wearing masks at awards shows. (Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Jessica Chastain says she wasn’t trying to make a “political statement” when she wore a mask to awards shows last season.
The 46-year-old Zero Dark Thirty star revealed at the Hollywood Reporter’s annual Tony Nominees Roundtable that she has faced criticism after she was spotted wearing a face mask to prevent contracting COVID-19 at multiple awards ceremonies, while she took on the leading role on Broadway in Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play A Doll’s House.
“We tested every day on our show and even if you didn’t have any symptoms, if you tested positive for COVID you were out for a week – and I met people at the stage door who had flown in from and from Shanghai flown in.” All over the world. Not being on the show for a week? It just felt so irresponsible,” said Chastain, who received a Tony Award nomination for her role.
But not everyone understands their instinct to take precautions.
“So I wore the mask to the Oscars. I got quite a bit of criticism for that. A lot of people thought I was making a political statement. I don’t know what they were thinking,” she shared with the group.
Josh Groban, who also attended the roundtable, chimed in, telling her, “Theater people knew it. We knew it.”
“Well, well,” Chastain replied. “I’m telling you, the best thing is that someone at the stage door gave me a mask that said, ‘I’m on Broadway.’ But yeah, at the SAG Awards, the Oscars, a lot of people were like, “What are you doing?!” I just couldn’t get sick. And neither have I. I didn’t miss a show.”
Back in January, a Twitter user posted a picture of Chastain in her mask to match her sparkling silver dress at the Golden Globe Awards, along with a subtitle It said, “And do you know who didn’t get sick with COVID at the Golden Globes?”
Chastain retweeted the post and added “Whew!”
Walking the red carpet at the Golden Globes, Chastain explained her reasons for masking up at the big party.
The story goes on
“I’m doing a play in New York right now. I’m going to do A Doll’s House. “I play Nora,” she shared. “I’m really excited about it.” I’m a bit nervous because I’m going to be sick, but I got my mask, I’m doing both. But you also have to be very careful in the theater because I don’t want to let my cast down.
Several other stars contracted the virus after the awards ceremony, including Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Chastain also paired her Gucci dress with a black mask at the Oscars, although she appeared unmasked on the red carpet and at the Best Actress awards ceremony.