Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting seems to have the celebrity apology playbook down pat. Step one: apologize. Step two: Use the "out of context" defense.
The Big Bang Theory star has been on the defensive after making controversial comments in the February issue of Redbook. In the interview, the 29-year-old actress admitted that she doesn't consider herself a feminist.
"It's not really something I think about," Cuoco-Sweeting told the magazine. "Things are different now, and I know a lot of the work that paved the way for women happened before I was around...I was never that feminist girl demanding equality, but maybe that's because I've never really faced inequality."
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That answer didn't sit right with many people, some of whom took to social media to express their disappointment.
"I just don't get why a woman would ever not consider herself a feminist," one fan posted on Instagram. "I mean unless she really didn't understand the definition. It's not about hating men or believing women are superior at all. It's about gender equality. And I just can't wrap my head around a woman being against that."
The online outrage prompted a response from Cuoco-Sweeting, who posted this statement on Instagram.
"In my Redbook article, some people have taken offense to my comments regarding feminism," she wrote. "If any of you are in the 'biz' you are well aware of how words can be taken out of context. I'm completely blessed and grateful that strong women have paved the way for my success along with many others. I apologize if anyone was offended. Anyone that truly knows me, knows my heart and knows what I meant."
Does that sound a bit "sorry-not-sorry?" If the actress, as she claimed, prefers caring for her husband in a traditional wife role, that's entirely her business and her choice. Saying she's "never really faced inequality," on the other hand, is either naive or just plain wrong.
There's a lesson here for us all. Think before speaking, and stop looking to TV stars for insight on gender equality issues.
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