The SoulCycle star instructor who justified receiving a coronavirus vaccine by characterizing herself as an “educator” apologized for the move in a post Monday on Instagram.
Stacey Griffith, 52, offered mea culpa on social media after taking flak to Instagram users as well as Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“I want to apologize wholeheartedly for my recent action on receiving the vaccine,” Griffith wrote in the message. “I made a terrible mistake in the trial and that’s why I’m sorry.”
On Friday, Griffith, who counts among his devotees Madonna and Kelly Ripa, received the much-desired vaccine at Port Richmond High School on the north coast of Staten Island, though he does not appear to meet current eligibility standards for to inoculation according to New York state regulations.
He sang when he was shot in a deleted Instagram post since then, and quickly drew the anger of users who haven’t been so lucky.
Pressed by The Daily Beast, Griffith said she qualified for the vaccine because she is an “educator” (school teachers are among those currently eligible in New York) and argued that when she received the shot , used his fame to help establish a positive example.
Griffith received his shot despite the widespread shortage he has seen as New York postponed appointments and shutter locations as supplies ran out.
In a statement issued Monday morning, SoulCycle distanced itself from Griffith’s actions.
“Stacey Griffith operated on a personal basis when applying for a COVID-19 vaccine from New York State,” a SoulCycle spokesman said. “SoulCycle has no role in organizing or obtaining vaccines for instructors or other employees nor do we encourage any of our employees to seek vaccine priority as educators.”
Griffith has not responded to requests for further comment from The Post.