At a Glance
- Singer Chappell Roan retracts praise for Bardot after learning her far-right beliefs.
- Bardot died Sunday at 91, having been a noted animal-rights advocate.
- Bardot’s legacy includes films like “And God Created Woman” and “Contempt.”
- Why it matters: The story shows how public figures reassess icons when new information emerges.
After discovering that late French film star Brigitte Bardot had long-standing far-right political ties, Grammy-winning singer Chappell Roan publicly reversed her earlier praise. Bardot, who passed away on Sunday at 91, was also celebrated for her animal-rights work and contributions to cinema. The incident highlights how new revelations can alter the perception of cultural icons.
Roan’s Instagram Reaction
Chappell Roan posted on Instagram Stories:
> “Holy (expletive) i did not know all that insane (expletive) Ms. Bardot stood for,”
>
> Chappell Roan added:
>
> > “I do not condone this,”
> > “It was very disappointing to learn” Bardot’s political beliefs.
- Bardot was fined repeatedly for inciting racial hatred against Muslim immigrants.
- She publicly supported far-right National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen.
- Bardot’s fourth husband, Bernard d’Ormale, was an adviser to Le Pen.
- Roan won the Best New Artist award and used her acceptance speech to call for livable wages and healthcare for developing artists.
Bardot’s Legacy and Death
Bardot was an international sex symbol who starred in Roger Vadim’s And God Created Woman and Jean-Luc Godard’s Contempt. She founded a foundation dedicated to animal welfare and lobbied for legislation protecting animals. The foundation’s representative, Bruno Jacquelin, confirmed that Bardot died at her home in southern France at age 91; the cause of death was not disclosed. She had been hospitalized last month after a period of ill health.
Political Eulogies
- French President Emmanuel Macron said Bardot “embodied a life of freedom.”
- Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right National Rally, called her a “passionate patriot” who symbolized “an entire era of French history.”
Key Takeaways
- Chappell Roan publicly retracted praise for Bardot after learning her far-right affiliations.
- Bardot, who died at 91, was also a prominent animal-rights advocate and film icon.
- The incident underscores how new information can reshape the legacy of cultural figures.
The story illustrates the evolving perception of public icons when their private beliefs come to light.
