Ricky Gervais Slams These Celebrities Who Are Moaning About The Lockdown

Quarantine has been tough on everyone. Not being able to go outside or see your family and friends can really take a toll on a person's emotional and physical wellbeing. But let's be honest here⁠—some of us have it better than others. And those people who are a little bit luckier than most of us are celebrities. The well-known and affluent don't have to worry about being out of work during the pandemic or about keeping themselves occupied in their big and fully-stocked homes. Yet during this time when many families are struggling to get by, more and more celebrities are stepping forward... to complain about how bad they have it. And Ricky Gervais, known for his harsh and funny criticism on the entertainment world, isn't having any of it.

In a recent interview with The Sun, actor Gervais encourages everyone to stop complaining and show gratitude and support for the doctors and nurses at the frontline. "After this is over I never want to hear people moaning about the welfare state again, I never want to hear people moaning about nurses again. Or porters. These people are doing 14-hour shifts and not complaining. Wearing masks, and being left with sores, after risking their own health and their families' health selflessly." The message is clearly directed to the rich. "But then I see someone complaining about being in a mansion with a swimming pool. And, you know, honestly, I just don’t want to hear it," he told The Sun.

How does he feel about being under quarantine himself? Well, he doesn't seem to mind. "I didn’t go out much anyway, and there’s always too much booze in the house. It’s always been the 6 pm watershed for as long as I remember. Obviously, I am looking at the watch," he jokes.

It is estimated that Gervais' net worth is $130 million. However, he says that being the child of an immigrant laborer has taught him the real value of everything. “I had no money growing up, I didn’t have any until I was 40. But I still had everything. My mum, she gardened, she grew, she cooked, she sewed, she knitted, she decorated, she did everything she could. And she gave me everything I wanted except money. I also realized growing up that all the best things were free—friends, nature, learning, and healthcare. And that’s why I gladly pay my taxes. And that’s why I clap the NHS.”

“It showed me the value of everything. People ask me why I dress like a tramp. And I say, ‘My clothes are clean and comfortable. Who am I trying to impress?’ I don’t wear £50,000 watches. I don’t collect cars because I can’t drive," Gervais reveals.

His comments come after such celebrities like Sam Smith shared their struggles with the quarantine and self-isolation in their $14 million, 5-bedroom home in London. Last month, the singer posted a series of photos titled “Stages of a quarantine meltdown” to their Instagram account, which was not taken very well by the public. The photos came after Smith said on social media that they are "bored s**tless" being stuck indoors all day.

TV chef Gordon Ramsay evoked fury both online and among local residents when he decided to ignore the government's guidance to stay in one place by moving his family from a property in London to their £4m beachfront house in Cornwall. Despite living in luxury, Ramsay said that quarantine with 5 kids is "a living nightmare" for him. It has been reported that he has laid off 500 members of his staff during the pandemic.

Ellen's comment comparing quarantine to jail was deemed tone-deaf, too. “This is like being in jail, is what it is. Mostly because I’ve been the same clothes for 10 days and everyone in here is gay,” she said. The woman is currently self-isolating in a house worth $27 million which has a gym, infinity pool, 10 bathrooms, and eight bedrooms.

While not directly complaining about the quarantine, Madonna also came under fire for her insensitive comment. “It’s the great equalizer and what’s terrible about it is what’s great about it. What’s terrible about it is that it’s made us all equal in many ways, and what’s wonderful about it is that it’s made us all equal in many ways,” she said in a video posted on her social media.

Some celebrities decided to flaunt their wealth in the guise of good intention. Arnold Schwarzenegger chose to encourage people to stay at home whilst smoking a cigar in his jacuzzi. “I just finished a bike ride and a little bit of workout and I just keep staying at home, away from the crowds and away from outside. The reason why I’m saying that is because I still see photographs and videos of people sitting outside in cafes all over the world and having a good time and hanging out in crowds. That is not wise, because that’s how you can get the virus. That’s how you get it.”

Nicole Richie decided to educate people, too. She said that everyone can grow their own produce while quarantining. “In a time where everyone is hoarding food and we’re trying to stay out of grocery stores as much as possible in order to give elderly people, people with specific allergies and specific food limitations, in order to give way to those people, it’s not a bad idea and it is possible to start growing your own food,” she said. The woman who lives in a $6.7 million mansion made this suggestion without realizing that not everyone has the resources she does.