Olivia Rodrigo has condemned ABC's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show, calling it 'blatant censorship and abuse of power.' The 22-year-old singer reposted a statement from SAG-AFTRA on her Instagram Story on Saturday, adding that she stands with Kimmel and for freedom of speech.
Rodrigo joins a growing list of celebrities defending Kimmel after his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was taken off the air indefinitely following comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The former Disney star, who rose to fame on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, has previously been vocal about political issues, endorsing Kamala Harris in 2024 and promoting Covid-19 vaccinations among young people in 2021.
She also shared a video of David Letterman criticising the suspension, in which the former talk show host likened Donald Trump's presidency to autocracy. 'You can't go around firing somebody because you're fearful or trying to suck up to an authoritarian — a criminal — administration in the Oval Office,' Letterman told The Atlantic.
Other late-night hosts have rallied behind Kimmel. Jimmy Fallon called him a 'decent, funny and loving guy' on The Tonight Show, while Stephen Colbert opened his programme by saying, 'Tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel,' and described the suspension as 'blatant censorship.' Colbert's own show is set to end in May 2026.
