We all know Kaley Cuoco as Penny from the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Her breakthrough role charmed thousands of people, and everyone praised the actress for her comedic timing. She effortlessly portrayed a waitress who was trying to deal with her quirky group of friends.
Moreover, Cuoco’s bubbly personality made her a fan favorite, and she was admired for her humor. But one incident led to a lot of public outrage and it involved the American flag. Let’s take a closer look at the controversy.
The Big Bang Theory actress, Kaley Cuoco’s Fourth of July controversy
On July 4, 2016, Kaley Cuoco, who was most loved as Penny from The Big Bang Theory, posted a photo on Instagram with the intent of letting her followers know that she was celebrating the holiday. But it quickly backfired because the image featured her dogs sitting on an American flag.
The flag itself was spread out on the ground, and the imagery seemed disrespectful to many. So the actress received a lot of backlash for the same, with several hate comments, such as “Shame on you, Kaley. You lost a fan.” (via Page Six).
According to the U.S Flag Code, the flag should never touch the ground, and should also never be used as bedding. Cuoco did exactly that in the picture and people flooded her comments, accusing her of ignorance and lack of patriotism.
Kaley Cuoco’s apology: The Big Bang Theory star gets a lesson in accountability
As the hate comments kept piling, Kaley Cuoco deleted the photo, but her lousy damage control wasn’t enough. She recognized the gravity of the situation and posted an apology on her Instagram, which has now been deleted or made private (via ET Online).
I have the utmost respect for my country. I am a proud American in every sense of the word. I understand the American flag stands for our freedom and represents American heroes, past and present.
I made a mistake. I sincerely apologize to anyone that has been offended by my previous post. This in no way reflects my feelings toward what the American flag represents. Living in the public eye can be extremely difficult at times. Every mistake and every imperfection is amplified. I am not perfect. I am a proud American, today, tomorrow, always.
The whole incident highlighted that public figures must tread a fine line, especially when it comes to touchy issues like symbols that are important to the nation. Some fans accepted her apology, but others remained critical. For the actress, this moment was a reminder of how public perception can change in a second.
