It’s not every day that a high-profile celebrity like Ronda Rousey steps into the spotlight to address a decade-old mistake. Recently, Rousey issued an apology on social media for sharing a Sandy Hook conspiracy theory video back in 2013. The gravity of her apology has ignited a wave of reactions across various social media platforms, particularly Reddit, leading many to discuss the implications of her past actions and current remorse.
In her extensive post, Rousey shared that she had redrafted her apology countless times over the years, only to hesitate each time. “But 11 years ago I made the single most regrettable decision of my life,” she admitted, expressing deep regret for initially promoting the conspiracy video. The original Reddit post revealed that Rousey felt deserving of lasting backlash and potential cancellation for her actions.
The original Reddit post was titled “Ronda Rousey Apologizes for Sharing Sandy Hook Shooting Conspiracy Video 11 Years Ago: ‘I Was Ignorant’ and ‘Deserve to Be Hated and Detested’,” and it featured a link to her detailed apology on Variety. This admission of guilt resonated with many, but also brought about skepticism.
Reddit users had mixed reactions to Rousey’s apology. Some, like TheOtherUprising, felt the apology was about as genuine as it could get, stating, “As far as apologies go that’s about as good as you could do.” Similarly, human1023, albeit slightly skeptical, decided to forgive her with a resigned, “*Sigh*… fine, I forgive her.”
However, not all responses were forgiving. User flux_capacitor3 voiced a more cynical view, suggesting Rousey’s motivations were self-serving: “She’s only doing that because she doesn’t wanna get sued like Alex Jones.” This sentiment reflects the skepticism some users have towards celebrity apologies, doubting their sincerity.
The triggering event for this remorseful admission was traced back to a Reddit AMA on r/SquaredCircle, where the old incident resurfaced and was spotlighted prominently by user redDEADresolve. In response, Rousey finally confronted the issue head-on, expressing her deep remorse and acknowledging the delay in her public apology, as covered by CBS News.
The apology provided Rousey an opportunity to warn others against falling prey to conspiracy theories. She emphasized that entertaining such ideas doesn’t make one an “independent thinker” but rather fuels ignorance and division. As noted by USA Today’s MMA Junkie, Rousey stressed the adverse effects of conspiracy theories on one’s mental well-being.
Responses across the web varied, highlighting a broader conversation about the nature of public apologies and redemption. Some believed the apology was an attempt to rebuild Rousey’s public image, while others saw it as a sincere act of contrition. One thing is clear, though: Ronda Rousey’s apology has reignited important discussions about the responsibility celebrities hold when sharing information online and the lasting impacts of their actions.