Jennifer Aniston Says Disney+ and Hulu Cancellations “Spoke Volumes” After Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension, Calling the Situation “Dangerous” and “Unthinkable”

Jennifer Aniston is speaking out about the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel from ABC and the subsequent wave of Disney+ and Hulu subscription cancellations, calling the network’s actions “dangerous” and “unthinkable.” Aniston’s remarks, made during her interview for Elle magazine’s Women in Hollywood cover series, add to the chorus of concern from Hollywood over the chilling effect of corporate decisions on creative expression and free speech.

The Kimmel Suspension and Its Fallout

The controversy began in mid-September when ABC suspended Kimmel following comments he made about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. During his September 15 monologue, Kimmel quipped, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.” The remark, made shortly after the arrest of Kirk’s suspected killer, drew swift backlash and led to Kimmel’s suspension from the network.

Kimmel returned to air on September 23, visibly emotional, clarifying, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” Many in Hollywood, including Aniston, viewed ABC’s decision as a troubling precedent for censorship and the suppression of dissenting voices.

Viewer Backlash: Subscription Cancellations Surge

Aniston highlighted the power of viewers in responding to such decisions, noting, “We subscribe to these networks and streaming services, so it really comes down to the people and their voices. All those subscription cancellations spoke volumes.” According to research firm Antenna, Disney+ saw its U.S. cancellation rate double to 8% in September 2025, while Hulu’s rate surged to 10%—both twice their respective averages in the preceding months. The spike followed widespread outrage over Kimmel’s suspension, as consumers used their subscriptions to send a clear message to the network.

Hollywood Responds

The fallout extended beyond viewers. Oscar Isaac, known for his role in Disney’s “Star Wars” franchise, told reporters he was “not so open” to working with Disney in the immediate aftermath of Kimmel’s suspension. “If they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great… If that happens, then yeah, I’d be open to having a conversation about a galaxy far away. Or any number of other things,” Isaac said, underscoring the industry’s unease with the network’s decision.

Aniston’s Call for Dialogue

Reflecting on the broader implications, Aniston warned, “Unthinkable things are happening. It’s very dangerous and very unfortunate.” She also called for Americans to bridge the political divide:
“We all need to listen to both sides. That’s what we’ve lost. We’ve lost communication, we’ve lost sitting across a table and having a discussion that is productive, learning from each other. It feels like everyone is sort of stuck in their positions and it’s my way or the highway, and that’s just not how the world works.”

The Bigger Picture

Aniston’s comments come at a time when Hollywood is grappling with questions about free speech, political polarization, and the power of audiences to shape the entertainment landscape. The Kimmel incident and the resulting surge in subscription cancellations signal a growing willingness among viewers and creators alike to push back against decisions they see as stifling open discourse.

As Aniston notes, the ultimate power lies with the people: “At the end of the day, we’re the viewers.” Her message is a call for accountability, dialogue, and a recommitment to the values that make artistic expression—and democracy—possible.

Read Jennifer Aniston’s full profile in Elle’s Women in Hollywood cover series on Elle’s website.