Karen Olivo says she's leaving Broadway's 'Moulin Rouge!' over industry's lack of 'integrity'

Tony Award winner Karen Olivo said she's leaving Broadway's "Moulin Rouge!" over concerns about social justice and integrity within the theater community.

"I could easily go back to a show and make a lot of money, but I still wouldn't be able to really control what I was putting out into the world," Olivo said in an Instagram video posted on Wednesday afternoon.

She continued: "And what I'm seeing in this space, with our industry right now is everybody is scared and nobody is really doing a lot of the stuff that needs to be done. People aren't speaking out."

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Olivo says she took to social media because "I don't want anyone to spin why I'm not coming back to 'Moulin Rouge!' You heard it from me."

"Social justice is actually more important than being The Sparkling Diamond," Olivo, who was nominated for a 2020 Tony for her performance as Satine in "Moulin Rouge!" said. "Building a better industry for my students is more important than me putting money in my pockets."

Olivo pointed to inaction and "silence" from her peers over allegations of abuse against producer Scott Rudin, which were detailed in a Hollywood Reporter piece published last week.

Watch the full video below:

"The silence about Scott Rudin — unacceptable," Olivo said. "That's the easy one, y'all. That's a monster. That should be a no-brainer. Those of you who say you're scared, what are you afraid of? Shouldn't you be more afraid of not saying something and more people getting hurt?"

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Olivo mentioned numerous times she feels money should not be motivating people's actions.

"Humanity. We're talking about human beings. Not about where your career is gonna go," Olivo said. "What is your integrity saying you should do? Are you going to protect your pocketbook and let people go to the emergency room so you can do your next concert?"

Olivo said she is prioritizing action over performance.

"I don't need to be on a stage. I need to be out here," she said. "People are more important than your pocketbook. That's it. That's all that needs to be said from here on out. I value humanity more. I want a theater industry that matches my integrity."

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This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Karen Olivo says she's leaving Broadway's 'Moulin Rouge!'