‘Sopranos’ Star Michael Imperioli Defends Statement ‘Forbidding Homophobes And Bigots’ From Watching His Work, Says It Was A ‘Satirical Take’

etcanada.com:

Michael Imperioli is clarifying the headline-making statement he issued, taking a stance against the recent Supreme Court ruling in the United States last week. “The Sopranos” star joined a chorus of Hollywood actors denouncing the Supreme Court, slamming their recent decision supporting a Christian web designer’s right to discriminate against same-sex marriages based on religious grounds.

Imperioli, 57, shared a screenshot of a news story with the headline “Supreme Court protects web designer who won’t do gay wedding websites” to his Instagram (he’s since deleted the post). READ MORE: ‘Sopranos’ Star James Gandolfini Was Paid $3 Million To Turn Down ‘The Office’ Role Following Steve Carell’s Departure In the caption, the actor cemented his views, writing: “I’ve decided to forbid bigots and homophobes from watching ‘The Sopranos,’ ‘The White Lotus,’ ‘Goodfellas’ or any movie or TV show I’ve been in.” “Thank you Supreme Court for allowing me to discriminate and exclude those who I don’t agree with and am opposed to.

USA! USA!” While engaging with some feedback to his post in the comment section, Imperioli doubled down on his sentiment: “Hate and ignorance is not a legitimate point of view” and concluded that “America is becoming dumber by the minute.” READ MORE: Jennifer Coolidge Reveals How ‘Self-Hate’ Almost Cost Her ‘White Lotus’ Role On July 4, Imperioli issued another statement to clarify his original remarks. “After turning down invitations to appear on various news programs, I thought it best just to clarify: The post referred to here was a satirical and symbolic take on where blatantly discriminatory Supreme Court decisions are taking us as a nation: into utter division and possibly far worse.