Katherine Heigl Defends Decision To Attend Charity Event At Donald Trump's Resort

Former Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl has spoken out after facing backlash for attending an event held at Donald Trump’s estate.

Last week, Katherine made her first red carpet appearance in around two years at the Wine, Women & Shoes annual fundraiser in aid of the Big Dog Ranch Rescue charity.

The Emmy winner went to the event with her mum, Nancy, at the Mar-a-Lago beach resort in Palm Beach, Florida, which is owned by the US leader.

After facing criticism for attending the event at a property owned by Trump – at which he’s not thought to have been present, but was chaired by his son’s wife Lana Trump – Katherine issued a statement on Wednesday evening.

She told Page Six: “Animals don’t vote. The only room they don’t like is the euthanasia room at a shelter. They are completely at the mercy of us, and they have no voice of their own.

“This event was about animal advocacy – something that has always been deeply personal to me. Anyone who knows me knows that protecting animals is one of my greatest passions.

“As a society, we should all come together to protect the voiceless and the innocent,” she added. “This should not be a polarising issue.”

The online outlet Just Jared pointed out that Katherine had also responded to a number of critics’ comments on their Instagram page.

“Just curious… what do you do that really matters?” she wrote in one such retort. “Do you think comments on an Instagram post matter to animals who have had humans pour gasoline on them and set them on fire? Who have had humans vote conservative or liberal but have been left to starve and suffer?

“Seriously…I’m very curious what you truly think matters to the voiceless and innocent… actions or just Instagram posturing?”

“Do you think animals are partisan?” she questioned in another, before writing in a different post: “So I’m using animal advocacy to what? Line my pockets? Interesting… seems to be costing me more than I can make… but that’s ok.

“At least my parents taught me to give more than I get. Taught me to do more than just judge. You seem… really meaningful in today’s society. Just keep screaming your virtue signaling bullshit while doing nothing that really matters. Good on you!”

Grey’s Anatomy fans will best know Katherine for her six-season stint as Izzie Stevens.

Her other roles include the films Knocked Up, 27 Dresses and New Year’s Eve, as well as the TV series Suits.