Michael Myers isn’t the only person who can make Jamie Lee Curtis cry.
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Curtis guested on the Today show to promote her final appearance in the Halloween franchise. But the scream queen — whose father was Jewish — broke down when the conversation turned to Kanye West’s recent anti-Semitic comments.
Jamie Lee Curtis appeared loose, laid-back, and in good spirits when discussing the recently released Halloween Ends. She explained to Hota Kotb that moviegoers see horror films as a way to deal with trauma instead of repressing it.
“People can confront what they can’t control,” Curtis said.
West’s Comments Bring Curtis to Tears
Curtis also commented on how modern technology — cellphones in particular — can help people find mental treatment more easily than in the past.
“These devices that we have … are both for incredible good … and then portals for incredible hatred and vile people,” Jamie Lee Curtis told Kotb.
The Today co-anchor used those comments to segue into a discussion about Kanye West’s controversial statements as of late.
As soon as Kotb brought up West’s name, Curtis began to sigh and shake her head.
Kotb noted that West recently posted on social media: “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE. The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
Shortly after West made those remarks, Jamie Lee Curtis scolded him in a tweet.
“The holiest day in Judaism was last week,” she said. “Words matter. A threat to Jewish people ended once in a genocide. Your words hurt and incite violence. You are a father. Please stop.”
Curtis Explains Her Emotional Reaction
Curtis elaborated her stance on the Today show.
“I woke up and burst into tears,” she said — and began crying again. “It’s bad enough that fascism is on the rise in the world, but on Twitter, on a portal, to pour that in — as if Jewish people haven’t had enough? … It’s abhorrent.”
She continued: “Our new movie is as much about what happens about victim-shaming and what gets poisoned. And the victim is actually the one who the community piles on.”
Kotb jumped in: “I’ve interviewed you so many times, and I have never seen your eyes well up in anger like that.”
Jamie Lee Curtis replied, saying she’s been thinking about her Jewish grandparents.
“I hope he gets help,” she said. “I hope his children get help. … And if we aren’t reacting [to West’s comments], who are we?”
