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Russia Invades Ukraine, Celebs Get Candid

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Russia Invades Ukraine, Celebs Get Candid
Image source: Chris McGrath/Getty Images.

The potential nightmare of Russia moving in on Ukraine came true at 4AM on Feb. 24.

This comes after months of Russia assembling military troops around the small country. The number of those troops is now approaching 200,000, as stated in reports from the White House. According to the report by Ambassador Michael Carpenter, the measures taken by Russia can be described as “the most significant military mobilization in Europe since the Second World War.”

The tensions rising between the two European nations might also dramatically impact the rest of the world. Russia has a long history with nuclear warfare. According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, Vladimir Putin’s state poses a threat of around 6257 atomic warheads. Indeed, it’s an instrumental day for global politics. Since Ukraine’s invasion broke, the celebrity world has given its thoughts. In a mix of sympathetic and strange, some of the world’s biggest stars are making themselves heard on this pressing issue.

Cardi For The Citizens Of Russia And Ukraine

One of the first celebrities to speak out on the Ukraine crisis was New York rapper Cardi B. Earlier this week (Feb. 22), Cardi took to Twitter to vent after a fan asked for her take.

“Wish these world leaders stop tripping about power and really think about whose really getting affected (citizens) besides the whole world is in a crisis,” she typed. “War, sanctions, invasions should be the last thing these leaders should worry about.”

Cardi posted a video doubling down after another Twitter user implied someone else was behind her rant.

“I actually want to say a lot of things, but I’m just gonna mind my business. Sometimes, I feel like I have such a big platform that if I don’t say the right things, I might get killed,” she began.

“I’m really not on NATO’s side or Russian’s side. I’m actually on the citizens’ side. At the end of the day, the world is having a crisis right now. There’s inflation not only in America but everywhere in the world,” Cardi explained. “There is so much shipments and embarkments, backed up. China’s not really messing with us, so a lot of things are behind, a lot of goods are behind. This shit just made it a lot more complicated, so I’m just really annoyed by this.”

The ‘Up’ rapper ended the video with a simple wish. Cardi called for world leaders to come to a “logical conclusion.” This is also a sentiment shared by many citizens of Ukraine, most likely including the dead civilians.

The War Between Russia And Ukraine Is Personal For Some

“Dancing With The Stars” alum Maks Chmerkovskiy is pleading for peace. The Ukrainian-American ballroom dancer posted several videos from Kyiv on Thursday, showing the raw reaction of his hometown invasion. “Honestly, I’ve been getting really emotional. It’s been a little difficult.” He said shakily. “You know me, I stay strong; I don’t show it. But I want to go back home.”

In one of the videos, Maks also explains his privilege as an American citizen. “I realize that I have a way. I realize that I have a different passport, and my family is far away. What I’m realizing is my friends whose kids are here, whose moms/dads are here, and elderly people, and they can’t just escape.”

Similarly to Cardi, Maks expressed what he wants is a peaceful resolution. However, in a more pointed response. He placed responsibility, particularly on Russian citizens. “I think that in 2022 [in the] civilized world, this is not how we do things. And I think as a powerful, forward-thinking nation, not a third-world country, Russia needs to get up and actually say something. No one’s opinion is being heard. This is all one man’s ambition.”

How Not To Speak On The Ukraine Crisis

Andy Cohen and John Cena have also thrown their 2 cents in on the less nuanced end.

The Bravo talk show host posted a screenshot from the popular game Wordle to his IG story this Thursday afternoon.

Clearly, the photo is a blend of too much and not enough. It’s also possible that Andy didn’t want to step on any toes and opted for simplicity. Nonetheless, it’s a little tacky.

While some chastise the 53-year-old for being slightly tone-deaf, The Real Housewives creator subsequently stepped in the right direction. He posted his Ukrainian trainer Stanislav Kravchenko speaking on his personal experience with the invasion. In his story, the trainer detailed the dire conditions of his family and friends are forced to seek shelter from the violence. As quickly as he received flack, he got praise for amplifying a Ukrainian’s voice during these worrying times.

 

 

One thing for sure, it was undoubtedly a better showing than John Cena. Most would choose an inspirational or encouraging message for times like these. clearly, the former wrestler had a different idea.

Yup, The Suicide Squad star used the impending European war to promote his HBO Show Peacemaker. As you can imagine, fans were not happy with the ill-timed promotion. Many Twitter users quickly brought up a May incident where Cena mistakenly called Taiwan a country.

Currently, the tweet has over 3000 quotes and hundreds of angry replies. So hey, the promotion may have worked after all.

The Case Of Terrible Timing

The Weeknd falls in an awkward middle on the scale from appropriate to ill-fitting.

Russia had just begun its missile assault when the “After Hours” star promoted an unknown project. Suddenly, fans were stupefied by his apparent excitement in the midst of receiving information on Ukraine.

“LET’S GOOOOOOOO,” he typed. “it’s FINALLY HERE ! It’s time .. TOMORROW !!!” This vague announcement was coincidentally sent out before Russia’s attacks became public knowledge. Yikes.

The Weeknd was quick to acknowledge the unintentional mishap. “unfortunately i’m just now seeing what’s happening with the conflict and will pause on tomorrow’s announcement. i pray for everyone’s safety,” he clarified. While it’s apparent that lousy timing was the culprit, It’s good to know his heart is in the right place. This, of course, didn’t stop his own fans from making fun.

It’s important to note that celebrity input is a small piece of this current global conflict. It’s natural to use Hollywood affairs to escape, but the situation below is still the reality. 

Donate to charities like the International Medical CorpsUnited Help Ukraine, or Global Giving to aid the people of Ukraine. We may not have the platform of Cardi or The Weeknd, but it’s all the same good intentions.

 

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Dreema Carrington|IG @dr3amgirl79|Twitter @notdreema

An ambitious young journalist from Baltimore, Maryland with a passion for releasing candid and accurate information to the public. Has experience in broadcast, reporting, and editing. Always strives to make stories unique and captivating while telling the truth. Currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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