Laura Benanti didn’t hold back when sharing her thoughts about her former She Loves Me co-star Zachary Levi during a recent appearance on the That’s a Gay Ass Podcast. The actress, 45, made it clear that she was never a fan of Levi, 44, and even went into detail about how she felt he handled the death of their mutual co-star, Gavin Creel.
“I never liked him,” Benanti admitted bluntly. While others seemed to praise Levi’s charm, she had a different perspective. “Everyone was like, ‘He’s so great!’ And I was like, ‘No, he’s not. He’s sucking up all the energy in the room, trying to mansplain everyone’s role to them.’”
She recalled Levi’s efforts to create a fun atmosphere by organizing nightly dance parties during their show’s run, but Benanti wasn’t on board. “He sucked everyone in with his dance party vibe, like, ‘We’re doing a dance party at half-hour!’ I was just like, ‘Have fun with that.’”
However, what upset her most was Levi’s response to Creel’s passing. Creel, who died in late September at the age of 48 after battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer, was someone Benanti clearly cared deeply about. But she didn’t feel the same about how Levi addressed the loss.
In an Instagram Live following Creel’s death, Levi suggested that the tragedy was linked to the COVID vaccine, a statement that sparked outrage from many, including Benanti. “For him to use Gavin’s memory — someone he wasn’t even friends with — for his political agenda, and then watch him try to muster a single tear he didn’t even wipe away, I was just like, ‘F— you forever,’” she said.
Benanti also pointed out that Levi’s conservative stance may not harm his career in the way some might expect. “People say it’s career suicide, but it’s not. Faith-based TV and films are huge, and he’s going to thrive in that world. He’ll probably make more money than ever,” she said, adding that while the thought made her nauseous, she wasn’t entirely surprised.
Levi’s representatives have not commented on Benanti’s remarks.
