Broadway star and MN native Laura Osnes says she wasn't fired, she quit gig after refusing vaccine

Aug. 17—Broadway star and Minnesota native Laura Osnes has responded to a New York Post story claiming she lost a gig after refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Osnes said she wasn't fired, but that she quit.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the 35-year-old wrote that "I took the weekend to gather my thoughts and formulate a response" and that "the article reports erroneous allegations that have generated a firestorm of negative conclusions and comments. It is important to me to clarify what actually happened."

Osnes said in May she accepted a starring role in a one-night-only production of "Crazy for You" on Aug. 29 at Guild Hall in East Hampton, N.Y. When she was later informed she was required to get vaccinated, Osnes said "I was disappointed but responded that I would have to withdraw, as I have not yet gotten the vaccine."

Noting that "the issue of vaccines passionately divides people," Osnes said "it is a legal right of all Americans to have their medical privacy protected. Mine has now been broadcast with an attitude of shame and demonization. Secondly, I believe individuals have the right to do the research, consult a doctor, and come to their own conclusions before deciding whether or not to get any injection."

Osnes said her departure was "drama-free and discrete" and that none of her castmates "pressed her," a reference to the Post's reporting that her would-be co-star Tony Yazbeck urged her to get vaccinated because "he has two little kids at home." She also said she was never given the option to take a COVID test: "I would have tested in a heartbeat — something I have been doing for months, and will continue to do, in order to keep working safely."

Born in Burnsville and raised in Eagan, Osnes earned national attention when she won the role of Sandy in a Broadway revival of "Grease" after competing in the 2007 NBC reality show "Grease: You're the One that I Want." She went on to establish herself as one of Broadway's brightest young talents, starring in "South Pacific," "Anything Goes" and "Bandstand." She received Tony Award nominations for her roles in "Bonnie and Clyde" and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella."

In past interviews, Osnes has described herself as a conservative Christian.

Assuming Osnes continues to refuse a vaccination, she won't be able to work on Broadway, as the Broadway League has announced that when shows reopen, audience, performers and staff will need to show proof of vaccination.