Nicole Scherzinger is sorry.
Following online backlash, The X Factor U.K. judge broke silence about criticism over a comment she left on Russell Brand’s recent Instagram post.
Brand had posted a photo on Nov. 5, appearing to celebrate Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory while holding a hat that read, “Make Jesus First Again”, a nod to Trump supporters’ “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Scherzinger commented, asking, “Where can I get this hat!?” before quickly deleting it, but screenshots of the comments started circulating widely online.
Days later, the 46-year-old has issued an apology, expressing regret for her comment.
“I deeply apologize for the hurt caused by my recent engagement with some social media posts,” she wrote in an Instagram Story
“When I commented on these posts, I made the mistake of not realizing that they could be easily interpreted as being politically related and I apologize to anyone who understandably reached that conclusion.”
“Many presumptions are being drawn, which do not reflect who I am, what I stand for, or who I voted for. Many of the marginalized communities feeling hurt and concerned by the results of the presidential election are people I care about most. I stand with them, as I always have throughout my life and career. If you know me, you know that,” she added.
“Like so many others, in times of adversity and uncertainty, I turn to my faith,” Scherzinger continued.
“I believed that the posts I engaged with were about encouraging people to choose love and faith — ‘putting Jesus first.’ For me Christ embodies peace, compassion, hope, and — above all — unconditional love, especially for those who may feel it the least right now.”
The former Pussycat Dolls member added, “I come from a place of love, and I will always support values that bring us closer together. It’s so important we come together with compassion, and love one another more now than ever.”
