Laura Osnes sues NY Post for report she was fired from show
Once beloved Broadway darling, Laura Osnes, has filed a lawsuit against the NY Post for supposedly falsely reporting she had been fired from a show due to her non-vaccination status.
Forbes reports that Osnes is suing the paper as she claims their “libelous conduct has caused, and continues to cause, [her] disgrace and humiliation, harm to her professional and personal reputation, mental anguish and emotional distress.”
The article claimed that Osnes was fired from a special performance of the planned Broadway revival of Crazy for You for refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The theater presenting the show was reported to have a policy that “requires staff and performers to be vaccinated, or submit a negative COVID test.”
However, Osnes refuted that claim in a statement on social media.
“A month ago, I was informed that protocols had changed, and I would now need proof of vaccination to participate,” Osnes wrote. “I was disappointed, but responded that I would have to withdraw, as I have not yet gotten the vaccine.”
She also said, “I believe individuals have the right to do research, consult a doctor, and come to their own conclusions before deciding whether or not to get any injection.” “There is so much that is still unknown,” she wrote, adding that, “[s]omeday, perhaps [my husband and I] will feel more confident in the research to consider a different position.”
“Every soul is entitled to live according to their convictions and work without being publicly ostracized.”
In the aftermath, there was swift backlash against Osnes’ decision. We even posted an open letter to her that included the following:
“You, Laura Osnes, play a significantly larger global role than 99% of the world. People pay money to see and hear you talk loudly and sing. The virus spreads through loud talking and singing in an indoor environment.
It is your body and your choice if you choose not to be around anyone in an indoor setting. But once you step on that stage, now you’re making a choice for hundreds, thousands of other people.
You worked hard to get where you are: winning that “Grease” talent competition is no joke.
Don’t get lazy now.
The information is all out there. Do your due diligence with the medical community, get vaccinated. We need theatre in our lives to make us whole, and we won’t get that if we have unvaccinated cast members potentially spreading a killer virus.
Translate your privilege into a force for good, not for a source of hospitalizations and death. There are many who want you up there on stage showing off your incredible talent, they just want you to do it while not risking everyone’s health.”
Since then, Osnes was replaced in a touring production and two concerts of the musical ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ in London’s West End. She’s currently appearing in a musical circus show, ‘Shiners’, in TN.