Culture Craze
Hollywood reacts as celebrities condemn ICE shooting in Minneapolis
Hollywood breaks its silence after Minneapolis ICE killing sparks outrage
For a world usually obsessed with box office numbers and red carpet gowns, the mood in Hollywood has shifted sharply. Over the past few days, grief and anger have spilled across social media as celebrities react to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse who worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs, was fatally shot during an ICE operation on January 24. Witness accounts suggest he may have been trying to protect a bystander. Authorities initially described him as a threat, but video footage that later circulated online has intensified public outrage. The clip, which has been widely shared on social media, shows Pretti on the ground during the encounter, raising serious questions about official accounts of what happened.
A name that refuses to fade
What makes this case particularly painful for many Americans is who Alex Pretti was. He was not a protester or a public figure. He was a healthcare worker caring for military veterans, someone whose job revolved around service. That detail has featured heavily in the reaction online, with many asking how someone in that role ended up dead during a federal operation on a city street.
The killing follows another high-profile federal shooting in Minneapolis earlier this month. On January 7, Renée Good, a 37-year-old mother, was fatally shot in her car by an ICE officer. Her death had already placed the city under intense scrutiny, and Pretti’s killing has only deepened public fury.
View this post on Instagram
Celebrities step out of the spotlight and into the debate
Social media has become the main space where celebrities are expressing their outrage. Billie Eilish used her Instagram stories to honour Pretti, calling him “a real American hero.” In a pointed follow-up, she challenged fellow stars directly, asking whether they planned to speak up or stay silent.
Pedro Pascal shared a stark message with his followers, writing that truth is the dividing line between democracy and authoritarianism. He named both Alex Pretti and Renée Good, saying the American people deserve to know exactly what happened.
Cynthia Nixon reposted a statement from Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, urging her audience to share their words widely. Her post focused less on politics and more on the grief of a family that lost their son in a moment that should never have happened.
Natalie Portman, visibly shaken during a recent press appearance, described the situation as obscene. She criticised both the administration and ICE, saying the treatment of citizens and undocumented people alike has crossed a moral line and needs to end.
View this post on Instagram
From award shows to real-life anger
The anger did not start with Pretti’s death. Renée Good’s killing had already broken through the usual awards season bubble. At the Golden Globes earlier this month, Mark Ruffalo wore a “Be Good” pin and spoke candidly on the red carpet. He questioned how anyone could celebrate while a woman had been killed on the streets of America, later calling Donald Trump the worst human being in the world.
Since then, more voices have joined the chorus. Ariana Grande, Wanda Sykes, and Jennifer Aniston have all expressed support for calls demanding accountability. While their messages vary in tone, the underlying sentiment is the same. Something has gone badly wrong, and silence is no longer an option.
Why this moment feels different
Hollywood has spoken out before, but the reaction to the Minneapolis shootings has been notably raw and unusually direct. Part of that may be the accumulation of deaths in such a short space of time. Another part is the visual evidence that contradicts official statements, making it harder for the story to fade quietly.
There is also a broader unease about federal power and the role of immigration enforcement in everyday life. For many watching from afar, including audiences here in South Africa, the images echo long-standing global debates about state violence, accountability, and whose lives are treated as expendable.
Whether this wave of celebrity outrage leads to meaningful change remains to be seen. What is clear is that Alex Pretti’s name has become a rallying point, not just in Minneapolis, but across the entertainment world and beyond. For once, the spotlight is not on a film release or a chart-topping album. It is fixed firmly on a question that refuses to go away. How did this happen, and who will answer for it?
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: Al Jazeera
