Laura Osnes' vaccine flap is dangerous, dumb and shouldn't be forgotten

It has been reported by the New York Post’s Page Six that Broadway “star” Laura Osnes was fired from a one-night-only concert of Crazy for You because she refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Even worse, according to the column’s “inside sources”, Osnes was initially vague with her answers and only admitted her non-vax status after castmate Tony Yazbeck addressed her due to his concern for the safety of his children. It should be noted that the Post has removed the portion of the story that describes her answers are “vague”.

I’m not going to recap the entire story, I’m too angry about it, and you can find it here. Let me preface this by saying that this is being reported by the New York Post’s Page Six, a gossip section inside a tabloid that publishes things intending to get people’s blood boiling enough that they share their content on a mass level. So mission accomplished, Page Six.

But their content should sometimes be taken with the tiniest grain of salt.

Having gotten that out of the way, let’s get right into it.

I’m pissed about this. Interestingly enough, I’m not as pissed off that Osnes isn’t vaccinated and seemingly believes in dumb conspiracy theories as I am that her actions put everyone involved in potential danger. I’m not downplaying that.

We’ve seen how quickly COVID-19 can spread among a cast before the spread of the Delta variant. That level of betrayal and breach of trust is egregious. And honestly, I’m worried more performers will try to do the same thing she did.

While many use this incident to remind everyone of Osnes’ political allegiances, I will not dig too much into that.

Yes, she’s stated she feels judged for being “so sweet and so conservative.” Yes, as of 2013, she was a member of a church that was openly anti-LGBTQ and included homosexuality in a condition group along with rape, incest, pedophilia, bestiality, and necrophilia. And yes, she sides with political candidates who would love nothing more than to revoke the rights of those with whom Osnes shares the stage and those who work behind it.

But, like I said, I will not dig too much into that in this piece.

Beyond the anger I have over the danger Osnes could, and still might, have caused. I’m frustrated because her actions were moronic and reek of privilege.

And do you know what the sad reality is? Osnes will likely keep getting work despite this betrayal of the highest degree. Sure, it won’t be on Broadway, which requires vaccines for all performers and audience members, but she’ll keep getting offers.

I’ve seen BIPOC performers blacklisted for asking the wrong question during a rehearsal or being mislabeled as “difficult to work with”; it’s highly unlikely Osnes will suffer the same fate.

While the power players in this industry will likely forgive and forget this, we cannot. We’ve lost too many wonderful people to COVID-19 to lose more because people are being morons and are putting people in danger with their stupidity.

So Laura, if your unvaccinated self wants to keep performing, non-union theatres in Mississippi would sure love to host you; stay the hell away from the rest of us who are trying to survive this pandemic.