Vanessa Hudgens Says Her Viral Comments About COVID-19 Were ‘Taken Out of Context’

Vanessa Hudgens recorded an Instagram Live on Monday night, March 16, and made some comments about the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 that more than a few people found off-putting.

“It’s a virus. I get it. I respect it,” she said during the recording. “But at the same time even if everybody gets it, yeah, people are gonna die, which is terrible, but...inevitable?”

It didn’t take long for this short video to make the rounds online. Critics called out the singer-actor for her “heartless” and “irresponsible” words, but she says they’re being taken out of context.

Hudgens took to Instagram the next day to address the backlash. “So yesterday, I did an Instagram Live and I realized today that some of my comments are being taken out of context,” she said. “It’s a crazy time. It’s a crazy, crazy time. I am at home [on] lockdown, and that’s what I hope you guys are doing, too. In full quarantine and staying safe and sane. I don’t take this situation lightly—by any means. I am home. Stay inside, y’all.”

Hudgens is one of many celebrities who have urged their fans to practice social distancing and self-isolation as coronavirus precautions. Taylor Swift posted this message on her Instagram: “Guys, I follow you online and I love you guys so much and need to express my concern that things aren’t being taken seriously enough right now. I’m seeing lots of get-togethers and hangs and parties still happening. This is the time to cancel plans, actually truly isolate as much as you can, and don’t assume that because you don’t feel sick that you aren’t possibly passing something on to someone elderly or vulnerable to this. It’s a really scary time. But we need to make social sacrifices right now.”

Meanwhile, Ariana Grande told her fans, “It is incredibly dangerous and selfish to take this situation that lightly. The ‘we will be fine because we’re young’ mindset is putting people who aren’t young and / or healthy in a lot of danger. You sound stupid and privileged and you need to care more about others. like now.”

Originally Appeared on Glamour