“Yellowstone” actor Forrie J. Smith is skipping the Screen Actors Guild Awards over the show’s vaccine mandate, despite being nominated along with the rest of the cast.
The Paramount Network hit is nominated for the best TV drama ensemble award, as is Smith after being promoted to a series regular for his portrayal of ranch hand Lloyd Pierce in the series’ third season.
Smith posted a video on Instagram explaining his decision to forgo the awards show and giving a heartfelt apology to fans.
“I want to apologize to y’all for not being at the Screen Actors Guild Awards — I mean no offense to anyone,” Smith began. “I’m not vaccinated, and it’s a requirement to be vaccinated to be at the Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony.”
He explained that you have to be vaccinated with a booster shot and a negative COVID-19 test within the last 48 hours to get in. Smith also joked that attendees had to wear “a K-95624350 whatever kinda mask” during the ceremony.
“I’m not vaccinated. I will not get vaccinated. I haven’t been vaccinated since I was a little kid. I don’t vaccinate my dogs; I don’t vaccinate my horses. I’ve never had a flu shot — I never will. I believe they compromise your immunities.”
Smith said he was “sure looking forward” to representing his “culture and heritage” while walking down the red carpet in his “big black American hat” and boots.
“But I’m not gonna be able to do that, and I apologize to y’all out there that are part of my culture and heritage, I won’t be representing us,” he went on. “It’s no offense to anybody, anything. It’s just my beliefs. I just don’t believe in that stuff.”
He thanked his fans at the end of the video and said that he hoped to be on the red carpet at next year’s event.
I’m even a bigger fan of Yellowstone now! pic.twitter.com/mcuNlwVe3X
— Jolly Roga (@RogaJolly) February 16, 2022
wpDiscuz
Good for you. The first Hollyweird person that takes a stance for something he doesn’t believe in.
More people need to stand up to these stupid, useless, unhealthy mandates. You can demand the freedom of choice to kill a baby but have no freedom of choice for what thay want to put IN your body. BS! This world it turned upside down.