Actress Sarah Hyland said she’s taking time away from social media after receiving backlash for sharing a GoFundMe following her teen cousin’s death, the HuffPost reports.
On Sunday, Hyland posted a link to the GoFundMe page collecting donations for funeral expenses for her 14-year-old cousin, Trevor Canaday, who was killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver on Saturday.
https://twitter.com/Sarah_Hyland/status/1069345232104284160
Fans on Twitter expressed their condolences, but many took issue with the fact that Hyland was asking for donations rather than paying all of the expenses herself.
Not to sound heartless but why are you asking fans to donate when you could afford to pay all the expenses… ? https://t.co/b8wMfnnKY3
— queen🍉 (@bymoonlightea) December 3, 2018
I am very sorry for your loss… but you make $100k PER episode
— Haunted (@hangfromylips) December 3, 2018
What's not clicking? https://t.co/8rR19aIRgm
A horrible tragedy!!! It feels weird that you are asking people to donate though. People are donating $10, $20, $100 which is a lot for people. I hope you are financially helping them too bc it would seem you have more resources than those donating. Prayers for your family.
— Kerry Sullivan (@ksullivan1111) December 3, 2018
The next day, the Modern Family star asked people to keep their negative thoughts and opinions to themselves.
“I’d like to ask those who have negative thoughts or opinions about the tragedy that happened to my family, to keep them to themselves,” she said. “You don’t know all the details. And how dare you attack when a beautiful life has been lost.”
I’d like to ask those who have negative thoughts or opinions about the tragedy that happened to my family, to keep them to themselves. You don’t know all the details. And how dare you attack when a beautiful life has been lost.
— Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) December 3, 2018
Later Monday, Hyland announced she was going to be staying offline due to the negativity.
“You guys finally did it. Your horrible negative ignorant words have broken me. Happy? Staying offline for a while,” she wrote on Twitter.
You guys finally did it. Your horrible negative ignorant words have broken me. Happy? Staying offline for a while. I have a special announcement and video releasing on Wednesday I believe. So. There’s that. ✌🏼
— Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) December 4, 2018
Despite the criticism, the GoFundMe had exceeded its goal of $40,000 by Wednesday. Hyland hasn’t said anything online since her announcement, and there is no indication of when she will return.
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H/T Huffington Post