Image source: Wikimedia Commons; photo by Jonathan Reilly
What was the Accusation?
Paget Brewster faced public criticism in June 2026 after she directly criticized ScreenRant writer Shealyn Scott on X in response to an article about Criminal Minds: Evolution. Scott’s article argued that Paramount+’s shorter season format had begun to hurt the series, especially compared with the longer broadcast-network seasons that had allowed more room for character development and procedural storytelling. Brewster, who plays Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds, objected to the article and to the promotional stills used with it. In a since-deleted post, she addressed Scott by name, emphasized that bad reviews and bad images could affect the jobs of hundreds of people connected to a show, and told the writer to pursue different work. The post was widely criticized because Brewster appeared to use her much larger platform to insult a journalist for doing ordinary entertainment criticism.
The backlash was especially sharp because the article was not a personal attack on Brewster and, according to later reporting, mentioned her only briefly and favorably. Other entertainment writers and ScreenRant staff defended Scott, arguing that criticism of a show is fair and that personal attacks on individual writers are inappropriate, especially when directed at a younger journalist by a well-known actor. Brewster deleted the post and apologized publicly the next day. Entertainment Weekly later reported that ScreenRant’s branding and public relations director said Brewster had also made contact privately, and Scott said Brewster reached out to apologize. The controversy therefore centered less on the original television article than on questions of celebrity power, online pile-ons, and how public figures should respond to criticism.
Key Apologia Strategies:
Mortification, Minimization
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Sources
Brewster, P. [@pagetpaget]. (2026, June 21). Apology to Shealyn Scott [Post]. X. https://x.com/pagetpaget/status/2068771495854420028
Coleman, R. (2026, June 22). Paget Brewster apologizes for telling critic ‘you suck’ after Criminal Minds article: ‘I profoundly regret it’. Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/criminal-minds-star-paget-brewster-apologizes-for-lashing-out-at-critic-12003635
Scott, S. (2026, June 20). Paramount+’s Criminal Minds format change finally backfires. ScreenRant. https://screenrant.com/criminal-minds-paramount-plus-seasons-too-short-backfires/
TMZ Staff. (2026, June 21). Paget Brewster lashes out at TV critic after negative review, apologizes. TMZ. https://www.tmz.com/2026/06/21/paget-brewster-attacks-critic-after-negative-review/
