Pop star backs Jimmy Kimmel on Instagram, calls ABC’s move “blatant censorship,” reposts SAG-AFTRA statement and a David Letterman clip in solidarity.
Olivia Rodrigo is the latest celeb to wade into the controversy over ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel, and she’s making her stance loud and clear.
The pop star reposted a SAG-AFTRA statement defending Kimmel and added her own reaction in an Instagram story, calling the suspension “blatant censorship and abuse of power.”
Her message—short, direct and unequivocal—puts her squarely in the camp of artists and entertainers who see the move as a dangerous precedent for free expression.
Rodrigo didn’t stop there. She also shared a clip of David Letterman’s recent interview with The Atlantic, in which the late-night legend condemned the network’s action and warned about the chilling effect of corporate decisions driven by political fear.
By reposting Letterman, Rodrigo signaled that her concerns aren’t just personal, they’re part of a broader debate about where entertainment, politics and corporate caution intersect.
This moment landed amid fallout from Kimmel’s controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk, which prompted ABC to pull the host off the air. That decision has sparked swift backlash from across Hollywood—actors, writers and industry groups have all weighed in—arguing that removing a voice for a single comment crosses a line.
SAG-AFTRA’s statement, which Rodrigo amplified, framed the suspension as a threat to artistic freedom and the right to speak, a message resonating with many who worry about a slippery slope toward self-censorship.
For Rodrigo, a figure with a massive and politically engaged following, the choice to publicly align with Kimmel is notable. It’s a reminder of how quickly entertainment controversies can become cultural flashpoints when artists lend their platforms to causes they believe in.
Her posts have already stirred conversation among fans and peers, and they add fuel to an ongoing discussion about media responsibility, corporate influence and the limits of acceptable speech.
Whether the network reconsiders or not, Rodrigo’s intervention underscores one thing: in today’s media landscape, celebrity voices can amplify disputes into national debates.
Her parting note? A clear call for Kimmel to be allowed back on the air—and for networks to think twice before silencing creators.
