(Scypre.com) – Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, known for her pivotal role as the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court, has drawn mixed reactions after an unexpected Broadway appearance. Over the weekend, Jackson made a surprise cameo as “Queen Mab” in the musical “& Juliet,” performed at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York City. The performance marked an unprecedented event, with Jackson becoming the first sitting Supreme Court justice to grace the Broadway stage.
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson starred in a Broadway Musical.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 16, 2024
ABC reports it was her “lifelong goal” to be the first Black female Supreme Court Justice to perform in a Broadway show. pic.twitter.com/VKy6BHvKmt
“& Juliet,” written by contemporary playwright David West Read, offers a modern reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic “Romeo and Juliet.” In this alternate narrative, Juliet chooses to live and explore life as an independent young woman rather than taking her own life. The production’s cast features notable figures such as TikTok sensation Charli D’Amelio, and the show’s themes include empowerment and representation. One of the key characters, May, is Juliet’s best friend and identifies as nonbinary, reflecting the musical’s embrace of modern societal issues.
For her part, Justice Jackson took to the stage in an all-blue costume featuring jeans, a corset, and a flowery hat. Clips of the performance circulated online, showing Jackson delivering lines like “Female empowerment, sick!” and performing the Backstreet Boys’ song “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely.” The cameo, according to the production’s marketing team, fulfilled a personal dream for Jackson, who has long admired the arts. An Instagram post by the “& Juliet” team celebrated the historic nature of the event, calling it a moment of firsts: Jackson’s debut on Broadway and a unique milestone for representation.
Public reactions, however, have been polarizing. On one hand, social media users and public figures praised the justice for showcasing a human side to the judiciary. Former Congressman George Santos shared his enthusiasm, stating, “I love this! Humanizing the one part of the government that’s never been humanized! Good on this partnership!” Similarly, Victor Shi, a former Kamala Harris campaign writer, lauded Jackson’s performance as “refreshing,” adding, “Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson performed on Broadway, while some of her Republican colleagues would’ve spent this time flying with billionaires. So cool. So refreshing. Justice Jackson is the best.”
Others, however, were far less supportive. Conservative voices expressed sharp disapproval, questioning the appropriateness of Jackson’s participation in a theatrical performance. Influencer Arynne Wexler took to X, formerly Twitter, to criticize the show’s content and Jackson’s involvement, labeling it a “queer musical knockoff” and describing the justice’s cameo as “max cringe.” Another conservative influencer, using the handle Gunther Eagleman, commented, “This is a sitting SCOTUS Justice. A lifetime appointment. I’m at a loss for words.”
Adding to the controversy, conservative commentator Liz Wheeler tied Jackson’s Broadway appearance to broader political criticisms. Wheeler’s post highlighted Jackson’s refusal to define “what is a woman” during her Senate confirmation hearings, asserting that her Broadway cameo aligned with a “Neo-Marxist, anti-woman transgender ideology.” Influencer Colin Rugg and the account LibsofTikTok also weighed in, with Rugg quipping, “I’d rather our country not be run by the weird theater kids,” and LibsofTikTok calling the performance “so embarrassing.”
Even billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk joined the conversation, offering a sarcastic remark suggesting that Jackson “should sing her verdicts.”
The sharp divide in public opinion underscores the cultural and political debates surrounding the Supreme Court’s role and the personal choices of its justices. As one of the court’s liberal voices since her appointment by President Joe Biden in 2022, Jackson’s actions continue to attract scrutiny from both supporters and detractors.
Her Broadway appearance reflects a departure from traditional perceptions of judicial figures, showcasing an artistic side rarely seen from members of the Supreme Court. Whether viewed as a groundbreaking moment or an inappropriate departure from decorum, Jackson’s cameo has sparked a national conversation about the evolving role of public figures in American culture.