The SoulCycle instructor-to-the-stars who justified her receiving a coronavirus vaccine by characterizing herself as an “educator,” apologized for the move in an Instagram post on Monday.
Stacey Griffith, 52, offered the social media mea culpa after receiving criticism from Instagram users – as well as Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“I would like to apologize with the bottom of my heart for my recent action in receiving the vaccine,” Griffith wrote in the post. “I made a terrible error of judgment and I am really sorry.”
On Friday, Griffith – who belongs to her devotees Madonna and Kelly Ripa – received the highly sought after vaccine at Port Richmond High School on Staten Island’s North Shore, despite apparently not meeting current standards for New York state vaccination .
She raved about getting the photo in a since deleted Instagram post, immediately drawing the ire of users who haven’t been so lucky.
Under pressure from The Daily Beast, Griffith said she was eligible for the vaccine because she is an “ educator ” – teachers at the school are currently among those currently eligible in New York – and argued that by giving the injection get her fame used to set a positive example.
Griffith got her chance despite widespread scarcity, causing New York to delay appointments and shutter locations as supplies dried up.
In a statement released Monday morning, SoulCycle distanced itself from Griffith’s actions.
“Stacey Griffith was acting in a personal capacity to apply for a COVID-19 vaccine in the state of NY,” said a SoulCycle spokesperson. “SoulCycle does not play a role in organizing or obtaining vaccinations for instructors or other employees, nor do we encourage our SoulCycle employees to seek vaccination priority as educators.”
Griffith has not responded to requests for further comment from The Post.