The Ant-Man and the Wasp star Evangeline Lilly spoke about her career, struggles, acting choices, and questionable political opinions. The actress posted anti-vax rally pictures to stand for choice and bodily autonomy. The initiative backfired as many criticized her for being insensitive and ungrateful.
This was not the first time she made a controversial remark, before this, she had shown her support towards no mask and refused to maintain social distancing. However, after her immunity was compromised she apologized to everyone for being arrogant and insensitive.
Evangeline Lilly posts Anti-Vax pictures
Evangeline Lilly said in a recent interview with Esquire magazine that she was well aware she would spark controversy by uploading images on social media at an anti-vaccine requirements event in Washington, D.C. In January 2022, the Lost and Marvel actress drew outrage after attending a demonstration in favor of physical autonomy. She had said,
“I believe nobody should ever be forced to inject their body with anything, against their will, under threat of violent attack, arrest or detention without trial, loss of employment, homelessness, starvation, loss of education, alienation from loved ones, excommunication from society…under any threat whatsoever.”
The caption continues,
This is not the way. This is not safe. This is not healthy. This is not love. I understand the world is in fear, but I don’t believe that answering fear with force will fix our problems. I was pro choice before COVID and I am still pro choice today.”
Evangeline Lilly now tells Esquire that she questioned and debated “about 600 times” whether or not to upload images from the demonstration. She recalled asking herself if that was the correct thing to do. The actress conceded and posted this caption with a picture of the Anti-Vax rally.
Talking Esquire she says,
“I know the beast that I’m attacking. I know that I have a little pebble and there’s this fucking Goliath giant. If I shoot this pebble, it’s going to wake the giant.”
she continued,
“I just wanted people out there who were struggling because they were under severe pressure to do something they didn’t want to do to know that they weren’t alone. And to know that there were people who actually felt they had a right to say no.”
Lilly was not dealing with her first COVID-related scandal. She made news at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020 following a Facebook post about resisting social isolation and quarantine. While individuals died from Covid, this also received a lot of backlash.
Evangeline Lilly’s future in MCU was never at risk due to her political opinions
In the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Marvel actress confessed how grateful she is that MCU never dictated her life choices or curbed her freedom as an individual. Her future was never at risk due to her political opinions.
“They’re very respectful. In fact, I’ve had direct conversations with them that I have instigated and they’ve always said, ‘That’s not our business. That’s not for us to tell you how to live your life or what opinions to have.’”
The actress continued,
“And I actually even got a really supportive phone call from [‘Ant-Man’ director] Peyton Reed at one point and just saying like, ’Just so you know, there’s some rumors spreading about Marvel ditching you or canceling you. And that didn’t come from Marvel and that didn’t come from us, so just ignore that.’”
MCU has no such comments on the actress, the fact that she is appearing as one of the leading ladies in their recent film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania says more than any official statement.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is running in theatres nationwide.
Source: Esquire
