Idris Elba slams theory celebs are being paid to say they have coronavirus: 'Absolute bulls***'
Idris Elba doesn't want to be test-shamed after publicly revealing he has the coronavirus. During an Instagram Live Tuesday, the Hobbs & Shaw star said he believes all people should have access to COVID-19 tests — but that it's "counterproductive" to shame those who have been able to get one.
"It shouldn't be about whether rich or poor gets it, everyone should be able to get a test for sure," he told his followers.
Elba's wife, Sabrina Dhowre, tested positive for the coronavirus days after her husband. She was able to get tested through "the doctor and medic team" on the actor's current production.
"I think that the negativity around 'test shaming' is, like, counterproductive, I don't see what people get out of that," Elba said.
Dhowre and Elba both slammed the notion they are being paid to say they have the coronavirus.
"Also, this idea that someone like myself is gonna be paid to say ‘I’ve got coronavirus,’ that’s, like, absolute bulls***," Elba declared. "Such stupidness and people wanna spread that as if it’s news. That’s stupid. That’s the quickest way to get people sick. There's no benefit to me and Sabrina sitting here saying we've got it when we ain't got it. I don't even understand the logic of that."
Although he didn't call her out by name, Elba is likely referring to a recent theory pushed by Cardi B. The "Money" rapper said during an Instagram Live over the weekend she believed celebrities could be getting paid to peddle their positive diagnosis.
"I started doing more research and everything," Cardi B said. "How am I supposed to know that I have the coronavirus?'"
"Let’s say if I have the coronavirus right now. How am I supposed to know I got it because sometimes I be like, 'If y’all have a cough, you have it,'" she exclaimed. "But then I be seeing these basketball players say like, 'Yeah, I have the coronavirus, but I don’t got no symptoms.' And it's like, so how the f*** am I supposed to know when I’m supposed to get tested for it?"
The Grammy winner added, "That's my problem right there, 'cause y'all not really saying what it is. And it's like, alright, tell me what it is and what it ain't."
"I’m starting to feel like ya’ll n****** is paying n****** to say that they got it," Cardi continued, "and if you are paying n****** to say that they got it, pay me too! Pay me too!"
Although she didn't directly namecheck any celebrities, plenty of famous faces have come forward to reveal they've tested positive for the coronavirus including Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Kevin Durant, Andy Cohen and Daniel Dae Kim. On Tuesday, playwright Terrence McNally was the first star to die from complications due to COVID-19. He was 81.
Watch: Idris Elba reveals he tested positive for the coronavirus:
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