Andrea Bordeaux, star of Starz comedy series Run The World, claimed on Instagram Saturday that she was fired from the show after she could not come to an agreement with Lionsgate Television, the show’s studio, on accommodations to work while not being vaccinated for COVID-19. Bordeaux’s exit was first reported by Deadline on Friday.
“Getting to play Ella on #RunTheWorld was an absolute dream come true,” Bordeaux, who played Ella McFair, wrote on the social media site with a screenshot of Deadline’s report. “I would have loved to continue to grow with this delightful character and having to come to terms with this sharp turn in my life, my dream, and career these past several weeks has been heartbreaking beyond words.”
Lionsgate Television requires all workers in ‘Zone A’, which consists of actors and anyone who works in close proximity to the actors, to be fully vaccinated, according to Deadline. The site also reported that after the studio had multiple conversations with the actress on her concerns over the vaccine mandate and tried to find ways to accommodate her, Bordeaux was the one who ultimately decided to leave the series.
She denied this characterization in her Instagram post, saying “Despite what the article says, I did not opt to leave the series and Lionsgate made no efforts to find a workable solution. I was fired.”
“My heart is with all of the people around the world who feel they are losing so much due to their choice to stand in their convictions and to honor their deepest core beliefs,” Bordeaux added.
She also says she has no issues with Run The World‘s cast and crew.
“I have so much love for the cast and crew of ‘Run The World’ and will miss them. I wish you all the best.”
The show was created by Leigh Davenport (Boomerang), and also stars Amber Stevens West (22 Jump Street), Bresha Webb (A Fall From Grace), and Corbin Reid (How To Get Away With Murder). It’s currently unclear whether Run The World will go on with just the three stars or replace Bordeaux with a fourth, but Deadline also reports that her character would not be recast and that Bordeaux’s departure comes as the comedy is about to begin production on season two.