Nicole Scherzinger Apologizes for “Hurt” Caused by Controversial Instagram Comment – E! Online

Nicole Scherzinger has issued an apology. 

The X Factor U.K. judge spoke out after receiving backlash online for a comment she left on Russell Brand‘s recent Instagram post.

Brand shared a photo Nov. 5, seemingly celebrating Donald Trump‘s win in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and holding a red hat that read “Make Jesus First Again.” The cap was reminiscent of the one worn by some of Trump’s supporters reading, “Make America Great Again.”

Fans were quick to notice that Scherzinger replied to the photo, writing in a since-deleted comment, “Where can I get this hat!?” as seen in screenshots circulating online. But days later, the 46-year-old shared how she was sorry for the comment.

“I deeply apologize for the hurt caused by my recent engagement with some social media posts,” Scherzinger wrote on Instagram Stories Nov. 8. “When I commented on these posts, I made the mistake of not realizing that they could be easily interpreted as being politically related and I apologize to anyone who understandably reached that conclusion.”