Hallmark Star Jonathan Bennett Addresses Candace Cameron Bure Controversy

In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Great American Family actress Candace Cameron Bure spoke of “traditional marriage.” Her comments on the subject have drawn the ire of a number of Hallmark stars, including Jonathan Bennett, who stars in Hallmark’s first gay Christmas movie, The Holiday Sitter.

Hallmark star Jonathan Bennett reacts to Bure

In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, former Hallmark star Candace Cameron Bure made statements that have been slammed by other actors. The interview included Bure saying:

I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment.

Moreover, the former Hallmark star told the Wall Street Journal not to expect any same-sex couples on GAC Family’s programming. She added, “I think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core.”

Jonathan Bennett, who leads in the first gay Christmas movie on Hallmark Channel, The Holiday Sitter, took exception to the remarks made by Bure. After reading her words, the actor now feels even more proud to be involved with Hallmark, where the opposite is happening.

In his role in The Holiday Sitter, Bennett plays a workaholic bachelor named Sam. Meanwhile, he unexpectedly finds love when he meets Jason (George Krissa), the neighbor of the niece and nephew Sam is babysitting during the holidays.

Speaking to E! News, Jonathan addressed the controversy over Bure’s comments, by saying:

I’m just proud to be part of Hallmark Channel that is doing so much inclusive programming like The Holiday Sitter, which is an LGBTQ+ led Christmas movie. I’m just so proud to be on Hallmark Channel that’s making these movies for everyone, because Christmas is for everyone and Hallmark is for everyone.

Moreover, Bennett said viewers will love The Holiday Sitter, saying:

It is the funniest movie with so much heart and so much humor. And I think the audience is gonna [sic] flip out.

Other celebrities slam Candace Cameron Bure comments

Greg Rikaart of The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives fame responded in a tweet. In the message he wrote:

I wish upon @candacecbure the blessing of an LGBTQIA child or grandchild to open her mind and heart a bit, as that blessing has done for so many parents/grandparents I know.

Moreover, besides being an advocate for LGBTQIA equality, including the right to marry, Rikaart has been happily married to writer Robert Sudduth since 2015. In fact, Greg and Robert share a son together, born in 2016.

Hilarie Burton reacts

Rikaart wasn’t alone, as One Tree Hill star Hilarie Burton, also slammed Bure’s words. The actress, who is married to Jeffrey Dean Morgan, tweeted:

Now they’re just openly admitting their bigotry. I called this s**t out years ago when [ex-Crown Media Family Networks CEO Bill] Abbott was at Hallmark. Glad they dumped him. Being LGBTQ isn’t a ‘trend.’ That guy and his network are disgusting. You too Candy. There is nothing untraditional about same-sex couples.

In a further tweet, Burton also wrote:

Bigot. I don’t remember Jesus liking hypocrites like Candy. But sure. Make your money, honey. You ride that prejudice wave all the way to the bank.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Bennett’s he new, original movie The Holiday Sitter premieres on Hallmark Channel on December 11, 2022.