Candace Cameron Bure’s criticism of the Hallmark Channel has been discussed by Lacey Chabert, the current channel queen and former fictional Toaster Strudel heiress.
After Bure claimed that Hallmark is “a completely different network than when I started” because of a leadership change, Chabert, a cable stalwart who portrayed lead roles in over 20 Hallmark movies, defended the channel.
Hallmark reiterated its commitment to diversity and inclusion in its programming, including LGTBQ+ storylines.
In a recent interview with Vulture, Chabert, the title’s executive producer and developer in addition to its lead role, said he “found a real home in Hallmark.”
She added that any alteration she’s seen amid the shift “has been embracing our creative ideas, and it’s my responsibility to the audience who continue to tune into my movies that I give the best I have to offer.”
“That’s always my mission,” she stated. “I’ll never abandon what Hallmark means for me, which is that everything is centered around the heart. I don’t think there are any plans for that to change anytime soon.”
When asked what she thought of celebrity Hallmark stars who, like Bure and Danica McKellar (now the network’s chief creative officer), “exiled” to the Great American Family, Chavert simply said they expressed her desire to
“I wish everybody the best,” she stated. “I really can’t comment on it further other than I care about everybody involved.”
Chabert Statement
When queried if the network tried to poach her, Chabert responded diplomatically.
“I’m with Hallmark, and I work for them,” the Mean Girls star stated. “I’m so sorry, but I’ll just have to leave it at that.”
Before joining GAF, Bure was a loyal Hallmark member, and last month, when he discussed the leadership changes in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, he stirred up some controversy.
Specifically her comments about excluding LGBTQ+ films and keeping traditional weddings as a mainstay of GAF shows drew criticism from fellow cast members and viewers.
The whole situation prompted the former Full House actress to explain her position in a statement.
“I am a devoted Christian. Which means that I believe that every human being bears the image of God,” Bure stated.
“Because of that, I am called to love all people, and I do. If you know me, you know that I am a person who loves fiercely and indiscriminately. My heart yearns to build bridges and bring people one step closer to God, to love others well, and to simply be a reflection of God’s huge love for all of us.”
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How Bure Responded
After her chestnuts were flame-roasted by the internet and other celebrities, former Hallmark Channel mainstay Bure opened up about the backlash for his inflammatory comments on his new Great American Family network.
The Christmas content favors “traditional marriage” over LGBTQ love stories and emphasizes heterosexual relationships.
“All of you who know me know beyond question that I have great love and affection for all people. It absolutely breaks my heart that anyone would ever think I intentionally would want to offend and hurt anyone,” she said.
“It saddens me that the media is often seeking to divide us, even around a subject as comforting and merry as Christmas movies. But, given the toxic climate in our culture right now, I shouldn’t be surprised. We need Christmas more than ever.”
Furthermore, she elaborated on her love for God and others.
“I am a devoted Christian, which means that I believe that every human being bears the image of God. Because of that, I am called to love all people, and I do. If you know me, you know that I am a person who loves fiercely and indiscriminately,” she continued.
“My heart yearns to build bridges and bring people one step closer to God, to love others well, and to simply be a reflection of God’s huge love for all of us.”
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God’s Huge Love
She blasted the media for using this platform to stoke the flames of strife and hate, but she also sent them a “simple message”: “I love you anyway,” she added.
“To those who hate what I value and who are attacking me online: I love you. To those who have tried to assassinate my character: I love you. To everyone reading this, of any race, creed, sexuality, or political party, including those who have tried to bully me with name-calling, I love you,” Bure wrote in the statement.
After the Wall Street Journal profile on Monday, in which she and Great American Family boss Bill Abbott defended the network’s position, Bure was subjected to a deluge of criticism.
Bure provided more details on the Wall Street Journal article in her statement on Wednesday.
Following the first remarks, actress Hilarie Burton referred to Bure and Abbott as “disgusting” for their opinions, and LGBT musician JoJo Siwa, who had previously claimed that Bure was the rudest celebrity she had ever encountered, also criticized the former Full House star’s assertion.
“Honestly, I can’t believe, after everything that went down just a few months ago, that she would not only create a movie with intention of excluding LGBTQIA+ but then also talk about it in the press,” Siwa took to Instagram to express her disapproval. “This is rude and hurtful to a whole community of people.”
