Entertainment
Entertainment

Hollywood, PH stars pay tribute to Orlando shooting victims

Rappler.com
Entertainment personalities join everyone who mourns for the Orlando shooting victims. They post about their shock and grief, as well as proclaim messages of empowerment and hope

Photos by Paolo Abad/Rappler; Justin Lane/EPA

MANILA, Philippines – After 50 lives were lost in Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, USA – what has been tagged the most deadly shooting in US history – the world was in shock.

“We know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate,” said President Barack Obama.

Entertainment figures, being influential on social media, used their platforms not just to express shock and grief at an attack that had seemed to be targeted at gay people, but also to proclaim messages of empowerment and hope, as well as to shun hatred.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga appeared onstage at a Los Angeles vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting.

“As we have now witnessed the largest mass shooting in American history, I can’t help but feel that this level of hatred – like all prejudicial crimes – this is an attack on humanity itself. This is an attack on everyone,” she said.

“Tonight, I gather humbly with you, as a human being, in peace, in sincerity, in commitment, in solidarity, to take a real moment and mourn the tragic loss of these innocent, beautiful people.”

Watch this Periscope video from Beverly White of NBC in Los Angeles:

 

As she has been championing gender equality, Lady Gaga also put this message on Instagram:

 

The pop star also tweeted earlier on June 12:

 

 

Madonna

Stop Hate. Stop Violence. #revolutionoflove

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on

 

 

 

Elton John

 

 

 

Beyoncé

Condolences and prayers to Orlando

A photo posted by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on

 

Jennifer Lopez

 

Ariana Grande

 

Katy Perry

 

Pharrell

 

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus wrote on Instagram, “Sending so much love to the friends and family who lost loved ones in this devastating shooting in Orlando… Sending peace to the souls injured and killed.”

 

She also posted an text exchange with her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus (who was tagged in the photo):

Billy Ray first said, “A day that started out as so innocent has now become so tragic. My heart is broken… and I know yours is too. So much hate… Not sure love has a chance anymore.”

To this, Miley replied: “Love has a mega chance! Don’t give up!”

“You’re right. Love has to win… Love wins!” her father replied.

A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on

 

Justin Timberlake

Last night –  in celebration of pride- a group of people – people like you or me or your neighbors or family were dancing & listening to music & celebrating life, just like you or me or your neighbors would. And then, one man and his guns took that life away from them. That's cruel. And it's exactly against what America stands for. I try to make music that hopefully brings joy to people and makes people dance and makes people feel and makes people LOVE… Because there's nothing more pure and beautiful than that act- and the fact that that resulted in the largest mass shooting in American history leaves me heartbroken. I used to LIVE there. I hope we can wake up and realize we are ALL THE SAME. Just humans. One species. Just wanting to be LOVED. #PrayForOrlando #MoreLoveLessHate

A photo posted by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake) on

 

Emma Watson

 

Nick Jonas

 

Kim Kardashian-West

Kim Kardashian-West tweeted this:

 

She also spoke about the issue of gun control in the US in relation to the Orlando tragedy.

 

 

 

Kourtney Kardashian

 

Caitlyn Jenner

 

Hilary Duff

 

Lea Salonga


 


 

Pia Wurtzbach

Miss Universe 2015 took to Instagram to condemn recent terror events, including the Orlando shooting. In two separate posts on the Miss Universe and her personal account, she highlighted a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pride: the rainbow flag. (READ: Pia Wurtzbach stands by LGBT community after Orlando shooting)

On her personal account, she wrote: “I am Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach from a highly conservative Catholic country but I am not afraid. Celebrated but also sometimes criticized. And staying true to my word, the LGBT community is close to my heart. It’s 2016, people. There’s no room for hate anymore.”

Yes we all know everything that's been going around the world. Around the world. Not just in the United States. Why do people have to suffer? That's a question none of us can truly answer. But one thing I'm certain of, nobody deserves the feeling of terror. Nobody. You have my love and you are in my prayers. I know all about the hospital shootings, the girl who was killed from The Voice, the bomb that exploded in an airport in China, the missing airplane, etc. I'm aware of all of these. And if you're wondering why I chose this photo? Because I am Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach from a highly conservative Catholic country but I am not afraid. Celebrated but also sometimes criticized. And staying true to my word, the LGBT community is close to my heart. It's 2016, people. There's no room for hate anymore. Now let's see all those multi colored hearts for YES. #NoHateJustLove

A photo posted by Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@piawurtzbach) on

 

 

Hailee Steinfeld

 

Ryan Gosling

 

Ellen DeGeneres

 

Neil Patrick Harris

 

James Corden

The Tony Awards, the biggest night in theater, also dedicated this year’s awards night, Sunday, June 12, to the victims of the attack.

Its host, James Corden, opened the show: “Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity. All we can say is that you are not on your own right now. Your tragedy is our tragedy.”

“Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced, and is loved. Hate will never win. Together, we have to make sure of that. Tonight’s show stands as a symbol and a celebration of that principle.”

Watch the video from CBS News:

 

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Hamilton creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda won big at the Tony Awards, and when he accepted the award for Best Original Score, he said recited a sonnet he made himself. (WATCH: Lin-Manuel Miranda dedicates sonnet to Orlando victims)

At one point, it goes: “This show is proof that history remembers / We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger / We rise and fall and light from dying embers remembrance that hope and love last longer.”

“Love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside.”

 

Anna Kendrick

 

Zoe Saldana

 

Kristian Nairn

Kristian Nairn, aka Hodor on Game of Thrones, was in Manila for ToyCon 2016 at the time of the tragic attack and tweeted this in solidarity:

 

In 2014, the Game of Thrones star said in an interview with the fan site WinterIsComing.net, “When you talk about ‘the gay community,’ you are talking about MY community. […] I’ve never hidden my sexuality from anyone, my whole life in fact, and I’ve been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview, cos it’s not something you just blurt out. I’ve tried to lead the questions a few times, to no avail!”  

Amy Schumer

 

Ellen Page

 

George Takei

 

Laverne Cox

 

Vanessa Hudgens

 

Martin Nievera

 

Aiza Seguerra

On Instagram, Aiza Seguerra wrote: “Nakakalungkot isipin na dahil lang sa kung sino kami at mga pinili namin mahalin, akala ng mga ibang tao, wala na kaming puwang sa mundo.”

(It’s saddening to think that just because of who we are and who we choose to love, some people think that we don’t have a space in this world.)

 

“Sana huwag ninyong kalimutan na ang LGBT ay mga tao rin, at may mga taong nagmamahal sa amin at nagbibigay ng pagpapahalaga sa aming buhay kagaya ng mga pamilya at kaibigan. Hindi porke iba ang tingin ninyo sa amin ay mayroon na kayong lisensiya para murahin kami, pagkaitan ng karapatan at kalayaan, pagtawanan, bastusin, saktan at patayin.” 

(Hopefully, you won’t forget that LGBT people are humans, too, and there are people who love us and give us importance like family and friends. Not just because you see us differently, you have the license to curse at us, deny us of our rights and freedom, ridicule, laugh, mock, hurt, and kill.

“Tao kami. Kagaya ninyong lahat (We are human. Just like all of you),” he ended his note.

 

Liza Diño-Seguerra

While promoting their film Traslacion, which tackles the “plight that we LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer] couples go through,” Liza Diño-Seguerra said that she found their premiere at the Soho International Film Festival in New York timely with its message.

She wrote, “Sana hindi lang manatili sa Facebook ang inyong pakikiramay sa nangyari sa mga GAY PEOPLE na walang awang pinagbabaril dahil lang para sa inyo ‘iba’ sila. STOP HATE CRIME.”

(We hope that your sympathy with what happened to the gay people, who were mercilessly shot dead, wouldn’t stop with Facebook.)

“Pare-pareho tayong TAO. Lahat tayo may karapatang mamuhay ng totoo sa sarili natin at magmahal ng MALAYA.”

(We are all people. We all have the right to live being true to ourselves and to love freely.)

 

Iza Calzado

 

Gab Valenciano

 

The Pulse nightclub attack coincided with gay pride month in the United States, with festive events all over the country.

Reports say that the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, harbored anti-gay views and regularly beat a former wife. (READ: Orlando shooter homophobe and wife beater – reports)

The FBI also said that they received reports that the gunman had made a call prior to the massacre, claiming allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS).

Also in Orlando, last Friday, June 10, The Voice alumna Christina Grimmie was also shot while meeting fans after her concert. She did not survive the gunshot wounds that she sustained.  – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

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