“I was completely unaware of Bardot’s views and will never support any kind of hatred directed at anyone,” Martin wrote. Social media has allowed fans to grieve together by sharing their experiences, memories and plaudits, validating this sense of loss. But consider back in 2016, when social media lit up with tributes to Leslie Nielson, the comic genius from The Naked Gun movies. Fed up with this digital dance, I resolved some time ago to only post tributes if I felt genuinely moved to do so. Inevitably, social media isn’t always the best place to work out the nuances of a life and legacy.

Source: The Irish Times February 22, 2026 18:00 UTC