LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ice Cube, the rapper and actor, has revealed that he refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 because he did not trust the science behind it. Last year in November, the 54-year-old actor said his decision cost him a $9 million role in a comedy film 'Oh Hell No' where he was set to star with Jack Black.
In an interview with Tucker Carlson on Tuesday night, 'It Was A Good Day' singer said he was not comfortable with taking the vaccine that was developed in six months. He said he wanted to be an example for his children and stand on his convictions. "It wasn't ready. It was six months, kind of rush job. And I didn't feel safe," he told Carlson on being asked why he refused to get vaccinated.
'It’s not their decision'
“I never want to be controlled,” he told Carlson, who also admitted that he was not vaccinated. "Of course not," Carlson said laughing as Ice asked him if he has got vaccinated. While asking the rapper if "they told you it was safe," Ice replied, "I know what they said. I heard what they said - I heard them loud and clear." He said, “It’s not their decision. There are no repercussions if they are wrong. I get all the repercussions if they are wrong.”
Ice Cube, whose real name is O’Shea Jackson, said he did not intend to become a spokesperson for the anti-vax movement. "I never told anyone not to get vaccinated, publicly. That was never my message to the world," he said.
'I didn't even want people to know'
The 'You Know How We Do It' singer said he was upset that his vaccine status was leaked to the public. "I didn't even want people to know whether I got vaccinated or not. I was pretty upset that that even came out. I was just going to quietly not take it and deal with the consequences as they came," he further added. He also said he knew people who suffered "every day from the side effects" and that "it's hard to watch". “Sometimes you have to let people know what’s going on and move the needle. If it’s true, why can’t I say it?” he said.
Ice Cube was supposed to star in 'Oh Hell No', a comedy film directed by Kitao Sakurai, but he walked away from the project in November 2022 after refusing to comply with Sony’s vaccination policy, as per Daily Mail.
'It’s still the same as it was'
The 'Why We Thugs' singer said, "I wanted to be an example for my kids. Make sure they didn't take it either. I was willing to stand on my convictions," he said in the video shared on Twitter. The rapper also discussed his political views with Carlson, saying that he did not see much change for the people he cared about under different presidents. He said he felt proud when Barack Obama was elected, but later realized that it was mostly symbolic. “It didn’t change with Bush, with Clinton, elder Bush, Reagan, Carter. So at the end of the day, it’s still the same as it was,” he said.
