SoulCycle instructor who received COVID-19 vaccine apologizes

The SoulCycle star instructor who justified receiving a coronavirus vaccine by characterizing herself as an “educator” apologized for the decision in an Instagram post on Monday.

Stacey Griffith, 52, offered the social media mea culpa after taking criticism from Instagram users – as well as Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for my recent action in receiving the vaccine,” Griffith wrote in the post. “I made a terrible error in judgment and I am so sorry.”

Griffith – who counts Madonna and Kelly Ripa among his loyalists – received the highly sought after vaccine at Port Richmond High School on the north coast of Staten Island, although he apparently does not meet any current inoculation eligibility standards under New York State regulations.

She sang about the photo in a since-deleted Instagram post, quickly drawing anger from users who weren’t so lucky.

Pressed by The Daily Beast, Griffith said she qualified for the vaccine because she was an “educator” – teachers are among those currently eligible in New York – and argued that by making herself vaccinate, she used her fame to help establish a positive situation. example.

Griffith was shot despite the widespread scarcity that has seen New York postpone appointments and shutter sites as supplies dried up.

In a statement released Monday morning, SoulCycle distanced itself from Griffith’s actions.

“Stacey Griffith operated in a personal capacity requesting a COVID-19 vaccine from New York State,” a SoulCycle spokesperson said. “SoulCycle has no role in arranging or securing vaccinations for instructors or other employees, and we do not encourage any of our SoulCycle employees to prioritize vaccines as educators.”

Griffith did not respond to requests for additional comment from The Post.