Heather Morris has offered a heartfelt apology that has come under fire for what she now admits were ‘insensitive’ tweets.
The 33-year-old actress participated Twitter after receiving backlash for defending her late Glee co-star Mark Salling, who pleaded notoriously guilty to child pornography possession.
She wrote in a statement: ‘To anyone who felt triggered by my message, I would like to offer my sincere apologies for the damage I have caused.
I’m Sincerely Sorry: Heather Morris offered a heartfelt apology on Twitter on Monday after getting backlash for defending her late Glee co-star Mark Salling (pictured in December 2019)
Surrounded by controversy: Salling died of suicide in January 2018 at the age of 35, after filing a guilty plea in his case for possession of child pornography last September (pictured in November 2015)
“Whether you, a friend, a family member have been pedophilized, I realize that my words may have been insensitive to your experience and so I cannot express enough how sorry I am.”
Salling died of suicide in January 2018 at the age of 35, after filing a guilty plea in his child pornography possession case last September.
Morris responded to one tweet last week, including a still from Glee with a vomiting emoji over Salling’s face, which wrote, “The vomit on Mark’s face is offensive.”
Public Apology: The 33-year-old wrote in a statement: ‘To all who felt triggered by my message, I would like to apologize for the damage I have done’
Acknowledging Trauma: She added, ‘Whether you, a friend, a family member have now been a victim of pedophilia, I realize that my words may have been insensitive to your experience and therefore I cannot express enough how sorry I am’ ( photo in March 2015)
Insensitive tweet: Morris responded to a tweet last week, which included a still of Glee with a vomiting emoji over Salling’s face, in which he wrote: ‘The vomit on Mark’s face is offensive’
Expressing Grief: She doubled down in a series of tweets, expressing her grief over the loss of multiple friends while acknowledging the unfortunate circumstances of his death
She doubled over in a series of tweets, expressing grief at the loss of multiple friends, while acknowledging the unfortunate circumstances of his death.
The Spring Breakers actress wrote: ‘I don’t feel the need to ever justify anything, because it is better to leave something unsaid. All of you who have a lot of things to say, I get it, I UNDERSTAND … something is unforgivable. But this holiday season, of ALL holiday seasons, is INCREDIBLY difficult for many of us. ‘
They added: ‘We didn’t just lose 2 cast members, we lost 3. And it’s SO incredibly difficult to have to pretend that third one is invisible because while his actions are unjustifiable, he was once part of our family and he was mentally SICK. Yes a pedophile is a disease but … ‘
Morris concluded: ‘While I don’t want to say all of that, it’s true. So THANK YOU for treating me so disdainfully and unkindly at a time when I can’t get through a day without gazing at the loss of my entire Glee family … thank you. ‘
It comes after Naya Rivera, who played her wife Santana Lopez on Glee, died of drowning on July 33, while sailing with son Josey, five.
Maid Woman: It comes after Naya Rivera, who played her wife Santana Lopez on Glee, died of drowning on July 33, while sailing with son Josey, five
Proud Mothers: Rivera’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and support from her friends, family, and fans, including Morris, who posted the tribute with photos of Josey playing with her sons Owen, four, and Elijah, seven
New Directions: Morris starred as cheerleader Brittany Pierce in the Fox musical series Glee for the sixth season from 2009 to 2015
Rivera’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and support from her friends, family and fans, including Morris, who wrote on Instagram: ‘You are and will remain the strongest and most resilient person I know, and I have sworn that with me while i get on with my life. ‘
The Dancing with the Stars alum posted the tribute with photos of Josey playing with her sons Owen, four, and Elijah, seven, who she shares with husband Taylor Hubbell, 33.
She added, ‘I have tons of pictures of our babies playing because we shared that kind of pride and joy. So I’m showing the world a picture of our little crazy balls to you because I know that meant more than anything and they remind me of you and me. ‘
Morris starred as cheerleader Brittany Pierce in the Fox musical series Glee for the sixth season from 2009 to 2015.
The cast previously mourned the loss of star Cory Monteith, who died of an alcohol and heroin overdose in July 2013 at the age of 31.
Tragic Loss: The cast previously mourned the loss of star Cory Monteith, who died of an alcohol and heroin overdose in July 2013 at the age of 31 (pictured in August 2012)