Olivia Rodrigo Speaks Out Against Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension: ‘Blatant Censorship’

Olivia Rodrigo is making her stance clear on the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s recent suspension.

The 22-year-old pop star took to social media on Saturday (Sept. 20) to voice her frustration over the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! by ABC. The network’s decision came after Kimmel made controversial remarks during a monologue about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

“So upset over this blatant censorship and abuse of power,” Rodrigo wrote on her Instagram Story alongside a previous statement from SAG-AFTRA. “I stand with Jimmy Kimmel and I stand for freedom of speech.”

Rodrigo’s comments align with those of SAG-AFTRA, the union representing around 160,000 actors, dancers, singers, recording artists and other media professionals. Earlier in the week, the organization publicly condemned ABC, a Disney subsidiary, for what it called an attack on free expression.

“Our society depends on freedom of expression,” SAG-AFTRA posted on Instagram on Wednesday (Sept. 17). “Suppression of free speech and retaliation for speaking out on significant issues of public concern run counter to the fundamental rights we all rely on. Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed.”

The statement continued, “The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms. SAG-AFTRA stands with all media artists and defends their right to express their diverse points of view, and everyone’s right to hear them.”

Rodrigo isn’t the only musician pushing back against the suspension. Margo Price also voiced her disapproval in a symbolic and emotional post. On Tuesday (Sept. 16), the country singer shared a video clip from her performance that same day on Jimmy Kimmel Live! singing “Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down.”

Her caption read, “If this was the last word, I’m glad it was mine.” During the performance, she sang, “Keep all them fascists underground,” while strumming her guitar. “Don’t let the bastards get you down.”

ABC announced the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! one day after the episode featuring Price aired. The decision followed Kimmel’s monologue, where he addressed the assassination of Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA.

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel had said on the program.

The backlash was swift. Nexstar, which owns 28 NBC-affiliated local stations, announced it would pull Kimmel from its programming. Around the same time, FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly condemned the remarks, threatening to revoke the licenses of any affiliates that aired the segment. He labeled Kimmel’s comments as “news distortion” and “the sickest conduct possible.”