Katherine Heigl has been forced to defend herself after attending a fundraising event held at Donald Trump’s Palm Beach resort, Mar-a-Lago.
The American actress, 47, who's best known for playing Dr. Izzie Stevens on the hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy, made her first public appearance in over two years over the weekend.
After staying out of the spotlight and ditching Hollywood for a quieter life, she popped up at the Wine, Women & Shoes Benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, on Sunday (8 March).
Her last red carpet appearance before this one was at the Emmys back in January 2024, so fans were surprised to see the actress at the fundraising event.
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After rising to fame in rom-coms like Knocked Up in 2007 and 27 Dresses in 2008, in the 2010s, Heigl upped sticks and moved to Utah with her husband and children.
The Grey's Anatomy star has been married to Josh Kelley since 2007, and the couple shares three kids - Naleigh, 16, Adalaide, 13, and Joshua, eight.
But it appears that Hiegl's first public appearance in years has turned political and caused quite the stir, as she was faced with backlash for attending an event at Donald Trump's resort.
One X user wrote: "She knew that being photographed at an event at Mar-a-Lago would cause a stir and result in people making assumptions about her political leanings - please."
While a second added: "It was the least smart thing to attend at this very moment. Anyone could have told her that. Curious why they didn't."
In a lengthy statement to JustJared, the actress argued that 'animals don't vote' and protecting them should not be a 'polarizing issue'.
Heigl told the outlet: "Animals don’t vote. The only room they don’t like is the euthanasia room at a shelter. They are completely at the mercy of us, and they have no voice of their own.
"This event was about animal advocacy - something that has always been deeply personal to me. Anyone who knows me knows that protecting animals is one of my greatest passions."
She continued: "My mother, Nancy, and I have spent years advocating for animals through the Jason Heigl Foundation. As a society, we should all come together to protect the voiceless and the innocent.
"This should not be a polarizing issue. Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone involved, this event raised over $5 million to help animals in need - especially those who have been abused or neglected.
"I’m so grateful to everyone who showed up, supported, and continues to stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves."
Then, as reported by PEOPLE Magazine, in response to Heigl saying 'animals don't vote', one social media user brutally hit back with: "No, but if they did they would have better judgement than you!"
The actress replied: "Just curious…what do you do that really matters…do you think comments on an Instagram post matter to animals who have had humans pour gasoline on them and set them on fire?
"Who have had humans vote conservative or liberal but have been left to starve and suffer? Seriously…I’m very curious what you truly think matters to the voiceless and innocent…actions or just Instagram posturing?"
Meanwhile, another Instagram user suggested she should support a different campaign.
They penned: "There are so many amazing rescues to align yourself with that aren’t hosting events there - and so many ways to get involved that aren’t putting on a dress and drinking cocktails masquerading as helping."
But Heigl argued: "How are you so sure about that…have you been to any? Have you donated a significant part of your income to anything? Anything you claim to care so much about?
"Have you done anything more than comment on what someone else is doing or not doing to your standard? Just curious…"
Topics: Donald Trump, Grey's Anatomy, Celebrity, Dog, Animals, Politics, Social Media, Instagram, Twitter
Madison Burgess