Candace Cameron Bure is defending herself, after she was criticized on multiple fronts for saying that she ditched Hallmark to partner with faith-based network Great American Family because it promises to “keep traditional marriage” — between a man and woman — “at the core.”
Characterizing herself as a “devoted Christian,” the actress said she said her comments were filtered through her religious beliefs.
“To the members of the media responsible for using this opportunity to fan flames of conflict and hate, I have a simple message: I love you anyway. To those who hate what I value and who are attacking me online: I love you. To those who have tried to assassinate my character: I love you. To everyone reading this, of any race, creed, sexuality, or political party, including those who have tried to bully me with name-calling, I love you. … And in the sole motivation of pure love, I hope you’ll join me in sharing God’s hope for all the world this Christmas season. Call that my Christmas wish.”
The Full House alum, 46, had a long-running relationship making holiday movies for Hallmark, but left ahead of it releasing its first gay-led holiday film. She made her controversial comments in a Wall Street Journal story published Monday, while promoting her upcoming Christmas movie on GAF.
“My heart wants to tell stories that have more meaning and purpose and depth behind them,” said Bure, who’s also been named chief creative officer at the company. “I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment.”
Jonathan Bennett, who stars in the Hallmark movie The Holiday Sitter featuring the same-sex romance, is one of the celebrities and LGBTQ advocates speaking out.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has issued a statement about Bure’s “irresponsible” same-sex marriage comments.
Burton, of One Tree Hill fame, saw a headline with Bure’s comments and called her a “bigot.
Siwa then entered the conversation, writing on Instagram
“Everything that went down” was a reference to Siwa and Bure making headlines earlier this year after Siwa posted a TikTok video calling the Fuller House alum the “rudest” celebrity she’s ever met after a past encounter. They later spoke privately.
Bure’s TV sister Jodie Sweetin joined the conversation by throwing support Siwa’s way. “You know I love you,” she wrote to the singer, who came out in 2021, after she slammed Bure for creating “a movie with [the] intention of excluding LGBTQIA+” people.
In April, it was reported that Bure had left the Hallmark Channel, after 14 years as the unofficial queen of Christmas due to her countless holiday movies, for the role at Great American Family. She’ll produce religious titles under the “Candace Cameron Bure Presents” banner, and is involved in content creation and curation across many genres.
Bure recruited Lori Loughlin, the Full House actress involved in the college admissions scandal, for movie on the network. She also brought over Danica McKellar, who is best known as Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years.
Bure will star in A Christmas… Present for GAF premiering Nov. 27.
