In the bustling city of Los Angeles, it’s no surprise when a celebrity sighting causes a stir. However, when Kristen Bell, the star of Frozen, posed for a photo with sheriff’s deputies from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Lancaster Station, it left many fans struggling for breath. The actress found herself at the center of controversy as people criticized her for showing unwavering support to the men and women in blue.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Lancaster shared the photo on their official Instagram account, captioning it with, “Today, we had the absolute pleasure of meeting Kristen Bell, who was hands down, the kindest human ever. There truly never is a dull moment at Lancaster!”
The post, dated November 20, 2021, quickly garnered attention, amassing over 7,500 likes and hundreds of comments, including:
“I love it when Hollyweird ppl stand on the thin blue line. All the haters can SUCK IT! Blue Lives Matter.”
“Awesome. A visit to show support is great. Love it.”
“Glad to see you stand for something and not fall for anything.”
“Love it. Thank you, law enforcement!!!”
“Thank You, Kristen Bell, for showing your support to the vast majority of law enforcement that does an excellent job and risks their lives and protect us every day.”
Despite the praise, some critics were quick to point out Bell’s seemingly contradictory stance. The Los Angeles Times had reported on the LA department’s gang-like groups of officers, who allegedly glorified violence and had cost taxpayers millions of dollars in legal payouts.
Conversely, Kristen Bell and her husband, Dax Shepard, have been vocal about their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Bell has discussed her intention to raise their children as anti-racist, advocating for inclusivity and compassion towards people of all backgrounds. In line with this message, Bell authored a children’s book titled The World Needs More Purple People, which encourages children to appreciate the commonalities shared by all humans, rather than focusing on differences.
Despite her previous advocacy, some individuals were incensed by Bell’s photograph with the police.
One person commented, “Wow, this sucks so much, Kristen Bell. Taking pictures with deputy gang members.”
Another urged, “Will one of you famous whites that know @KristenBell please handle this? Don’t make me start snitch tagging.”
A third critic questioned, “Hey Kristen Bell, did you tweet #blacklivesmatter cuz this ain’t it.”
As of yet, neither Bell nor her family has responded to the backlash stemming from the photo with the Lancaster County sheriff’s deputies. Perhaps she plans to remain silent on the matter, waiting for the negative media attention to subside in order to protect her career.
And it is evident that Kristen Bell has substantial support from those who believe she made the right choice, despite the criticism. It remains to be seen whether she will continue to publicly support law enforcement while simultaneously raising awareness about racism and police brutality.
The story of Kristen Bell’s controversial photograph serves as a reminder that, in the complex world of celebrity, even a simple snapshot can ignite intense debates on topics like race, support for law enforcement, and the responsibility of public figures.
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Sources: AWM, Radaronline, Boundingintocomics