(NewsNation) — Emmy-winning actress Drea de Matteo, known for her role in “The Sopranos” and other hit shows, says her opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates led her to step back from the entertainment industry.
In a Wednesday interview on NewsNation’s “Dan Abrams Live,” de Matteo said she “took herself out of the industry” when vaccine mandates were implemented, stating she “couldn’t get on board” with policies she believed were “not for the people.”
The actress, who also starred in “Sons of Anarchy” and “Desperate Housewives,” said she lost her home and was dropped by her agency during this period. However, she said that her political views haven’t changed, suggesting instead that “society” has shifted.
De Matteo downplayed her status in Hollywood, stating, “I don’t think I was ever a part of it, and I don’t think I’m a part of it still.” She described herself primarily as a mother and said she’s not actively pursuing acting roles.
The actress also addressed the controversy surrounding her recent comments saying the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was “an inside job,” suggesting that media coverage has sometimes misrepresented her statements.
De Matteo is currently focusing on her streetwear line, Ultra Free, which she says became a way to “deflect” attention from her foray into the OnlyFans platform.
When asked about potential discrimination against women in the industry, de Matteo said she doesn’t “ride that horse so often,” acknowledging an “aging stigma” but asserting that “a lot of women do get great jobs” in Hollywood.