Getty Images, E!Darren Criss is saying sorry for a Caitlyn Jenner reference he made during a recent performance of Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway.
Earlier this week, a theatergoer tweeted, "Tonight, Darren Criss, as HEDWIG said, ‘man, woman, moman, wan, Bruce Jenner, whatever you are' and it was very distasteful." Even though the line was said while Criss' character Hedwig was describing that his perfume is for anyone, backlash from some social media users prompted the 28-year-old Glee star to post an apology on his Facebook page.
"I want to sincerely apologize to Caitlyn Jenner, all transgender people, and anyone who was offended for my words on stage during Tuesday evening's performance. In no way do the remarks reflect my personal belief system or my support for transgender people," Criss wrote.
"However, I do realize the severity of the comment and the weight that words can carry and for that, I take full responsibility," he added. "I commend Caitlyn on her strength and for spreading acceptance around the globe. I have been and remain a proud and unwavering ally of the LGBTQIA community, and will continue to walk alongside my friends on the road to full equality and acceptance."
In Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Criss plays the titular character, a genderqueer East German singer named Hedwig who suffered a botched gender reassignment surgery.
Controversy aside, Criss took to Twitter today to celebrate marriage equality. "After a much needed late sleep-in I'm so happy to wake up to the best news ever. Thank God. Finally. #LoveWins Proud to be American today, he wrote, followed by, "It's truly a beautiful day! Hell yeah. Lots of reasons to go outside and celebrate for. #LoveWins."