Yellowstone actor Forrie J Smith announced he will not be attending next week’s SAG Awards because he doesn’t believe in vaccines.
Smith, 62, who stars in the smash-hit Paramount Television drama, broke the news to his fans that he will not be walking the red carpet at the upcoming SAG Awards because of his anti-vaxx beliefs.
Anyone attending the LA Awards on February 27 must have had their full-COVID vaccine, as well as a booster and a negative COVID test. Safety-obsessed bosses say participants must wear an N95, KN95 or KF94 mask throughout proceedings, unless they’re eating, drinking, collecting an award or posing for photographers on the red carpet.
‘I want to apologize to y’all for not being at the Screen Actors Guild Awards,’ Smith said in a video posted on his Instagram account. ‘I mean no offense to anyone. I’m not vaccinated, and it’s a requirement to be vaccinated.’
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Yellowstone star Forrie J Smith (pictured) announced that he will not be walking the red carpet at the upcoming SAG Awards because of his anti-vaxx beliefs
Smith (pictured) plays Lloyd Pierce, a senior ranch hand on the Dutton Ranch, on the hit drama alongside co-stars Kevin Costner and Kelly Reilly
‘I’m not vaccinated, I will not get vaccinated,’ Smith added. ‘I haven’t been vaccinated since I was a little kid. I don’t vaccinate my dogs, I don’t vaccinate my horses. I’ve never had a flu shot. I never will. I believe they compromise your immunities.’
He said he was sorry he could not go and that he was looking forward to representing his culture, but he would not budge.
Virus experts have previously disputed claims identical to those made by Smith, and say that vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective at preventing serious cases of COVID, as well as deaths which could have been caused by the virus.
The 28th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will require attendees to show proof of vaccination plus booster shot, and a negative Covid-19 PCR test
The Yellowstone cast (pictured) is nominated in the top category of ensemble in a television drama alongside Succession, Squid Game, he Morning Show and The Handmaid’s Tale
‘It’s no offense to anybody. It’s just my beliefs. I just don’t believe in that stuff. Whatever,’ he said. ‘Thank you all, you all enjoy watching the show anyway, and maybe next year.’
Smith – who worked as a real-life cowboy before finding fame as an actor – plays Lloyd Pierce, a senior ranch hand on the Dutton Ranch, on the hit drama alongside co-stars Kevin Costner and Kelly Reilly.
The show is a major hit for the Paramount Network, with the season 4 finale drawing in 9.3 million viewers.
It has been largely-shunned by critics in favor of more stylish shows such as Succession, sparking claims the drama has been ignored for not being woke enough.
Its location scenes and studio shots are filmed entirely in Montana. The state doesn’t have a vaccine mandate forcing employers to make workers get the shot, and its unclear what – if any safety protocols are used to guarantee the cast and crew’s safety while filming.
The cast is nominated in the top category of ensemble in a television drama alongside Succession, Squid Game, he Morning Show and The Handmaid’s Tale.
Last weekend California’s mask mandate was brazenly disregarded at the Super Bowl, as Hollywood superstars who have been vocal in their support for the face mask policy chose to ignore it at the stadium.
Under California’s current rules, face masks must be worn when indoors in public spaces – such as inside a private box at the Super Bowl.
Furthermore, masks are recommended to be worn in high risk outdoor situations, such as in 70,000 strong audience at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium.
Yet celebrities including Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron, Sean Penn and Kendall Jenner were all spotted without a face mask.
The Weeknd, Gordon Ramsay, Doja Cat, Andy Garcia and Ellen DeGeneres were all seen without a face mask.
Many social media users pointed out that children in California are still forced to wear face masks in their classrooms.
