Charlie Sheen HIV: Actor Confirms His Positive Status, Twitter Reacts With Overwhelming Support & Scolds Actor's Critics [VIDEO]
Admitting on national television that he is indeed the rumored actor who is HIV positive appears to have been the best move for Charlie Sheen, as fans of the actor and many others have taken to Twitter to show mostly overwhelming support for the actor following his TODAY show announcement.
Charlie Sheen Confirms He Is HIV Positive
After he confirmed the news just before 7:45 this morning, fans took to social media in droves to share heartwarming messages of support and well-wishes for the actor, and praise him for being brave with coming forward with the truth about his diagnosis, which he learned of four years ago.
Salute to Charlie Sheen for his courageous disclosure. Praying for his continued health and healing. https://t.co/pi2tFdL0p7
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 17, 2015
I have made to many mistakes in my life to tell anyone "I Told You So" Good Luck #CharlieSheen , and get well!!! https://t.co/XToUVxvEKw — James Barnes II (@jamesbarnes2) November 17, 2015
The only thing NOT shocking about Charlie Sheen is that he is HIV . What a sad story. Praying for him today. Lord have mercy. — Eric Metaxas (@ericmetaxas) November 17, 2015
As a child of an HIV-positive dad, hearing Charlie Sheen talk about his status is truly moving. Miss you, dad. — Mathew Rodriguez (@mathewrodriguez) November 17, 2015
Charlie Sheen is brave. He might not be PurpleHeart brave but there's bravery in his statements. Who are you to say it isn't? — No Relation (@TheCosby) November 17, 2015
It's brave to reveal to the world that you're part of a stigmatized & ostracized group. Bravery beats blackmail. https://t.co/jZnfPBS4E2 — No Relation (@TheCosby) November 17, 2015
Charlie Sheen is brave because what he did showed moral courage. Acting in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or personal loss.
— No Relation (@TheCosby) November 17, 2015
Saying Charlie sheen is brave doesn't take away from anyone else. They can all be brave because life has an infinite number of obstacles. — No Relation (@TheCosby) November 17, 2015
If someone is blackmailing you by saying they'll reveal your secret they're counting on you to not be brave enough to face public scrutiny. — No Relation (@TheCosby) November 17, 2015
Bravery is overcoming that internal or external obstacle in the face of possible negative outcomes https://t.co/79LeV9tzi9 — No Relation (@TheCosby) November 17, 2015
I hope Charlie Sheen names and shames the people who have blackmailed him. — Rock Lobster (@MissWittank) November 17, 2015
You have to give Charlie Sheen credit for coming out & admitting his condition on national television — That Witty Wife (@ThatWittyWife) November 17, 2015
Nothing but love for you @charliesheen you're still the best.
— Kenan Bal (@KenanBal) November 17, 2015
Feeling very sad for #CharlieSheen. Being positive is not a stigma no matter how you contract. #brave — Joel Walton (@omgjoelwalton) November 17, 2015
Others have since decided to praise him and use his story to spread messages and reminders for practicing safe sex and staying educated about the situation.
So sad for charlie sheen and his diagnosis with HIV #GetTested #stayprotected #safesex #usealatex #condoms it aint no joke
— Lynnette Olivo (@sweetlove015) November 17, 2015
I hope this Charlie Sheen interview is used as an opportunity to educate ppl about HIV rather than a lecture about how he "ruined his life" — George Glass (@kjfkid) November 17, 2015
I am sad for @charliesheen but I am happy that he has come forward and brought up the HIV conversation again. Educate yourself. — Cathy Iconis (@CathyIconis) November 17, 2015
Was Charlie Sheen Forced To Admit His HIV Diagnosis To The Public?
However, some have attacked him, saying he deserves the diagnosis because of some of his past decisions, or blatantly stating that his coming forward isn't heroic because he only did so due to extensive media coverage:
it is not cool to make fun of charlie sheen for the HIV news. it is completely cool to angrily tweet about him re: the beating-women thing. — Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24) November 17, 2015
Not saying Charlie Sheen NEEDED to disclose his status, I'm saying that now that he has, he's NOT A HERO, there are ACTIVISTS who are HEROES — bevysmith (@bevysmith) November 17, 2015
I'm not saying that it was right that CHARLIE SHEEN was forced into disclosing his status, only that him doing so doesn't make him a HERO
— bevysmith (@bevysmith) November 17, 2015
Hey Charlie Sheen... We don't care if you have been HIV for 4 yrs. The only one that probably cares? That wife & baby of yours!!! Pathetic! — ☀️Karen☀️ (@KarenMonsour12) November 17, 2015
Charlie Sheen did this to stop the blackmailing, that's it. — MonsterKing (@CerromeRussell) November 17, 2015
I don't really see Charlie Sheen turning into an activist for HIV awareness, he'll be Pro-Charlie like he's always been. — MonsterKing (@CerromeRussell) November 17, 2015
lol yah, but he knew what he signed up for living that lifestyle, not strapping/ being careful. https://t.co/RdjzztBcHB
— ☄AquaPill☄ (@AkemeJOkonkwo) November 17, 2015
So you're gonna tell me. That its shaming Charlie sheen because he's lead a lifestyle that landed him where I'm sure most of us thought — ☄AquaPill☄ (@AkemeJOkonkwo) November 17, 2015
He already was. You people make me sick — ☄AquaPill☄ (@AkemeJOkonkwo) November 17, 2015
However, others have also taken to defending Sheen against negative comments, and telling others not to criticize and bully him over why he decided to come forward, or his condition at all.
I think sometimes y'all forget these celebrities are still people. Charlie Sheen just told the world of his HIV status. That's not hard?
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 17, 2015
I keep thinking about how the world mocked Charlie Sheen when he had his "celebrity melt down." I can't imagine what he was going through. — Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 17, 2015
"Be Kind; Everyone You Meet is Fighting a Hard Battle"
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 17, 2015
Pro Tip: Save your Charlie Sheen jokes for, I don't know, never. — Downtown Josh Brown (@ReformedBroker) November 17, 2015
charlie sheen: bravely announces he is HIV positive after hiding it society: ew he deserves it THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOCIETY
— h (@spooningstiles) November 17, 2015
I think it's disgusting that Charlie Sheen has been backed into a corner to reveal something which is essentially a personal matter. — Charl (@misscharl) November 17, 2015
I think the media have forgotten the celebrities are entitled to privacy and to keep details of their personal life exactly that, personal.
— Charl (@misscharl) November 17, 2015
Imagine having to pay people off so they don't divulge all about that water infection/crazy yellow toenail/STI you had when you were 21. — Charl (@misscharl) November 17, 2015
It's sad that Charlie Sheen has been forced to 'admit' he has HIV. Nobody has to 'admit' to cancer, pneumonia or diabetes.
— Filipe Orlando (@MrFilipeOrlando) November 17, 2015
All the ignorance towards charlie sheen, who "deserves" HIV??! Honestly..everyone thinks they're so much better than everyone all the time — Red (@Natalee_6126) November 17, 2015
It's totally okay to be mad at Charlie Sheen for how he treats women. You don't have to mock his HIV status to do it.
— Paul Trillich (@mr_wrightaway) November 17, 2015