Benjamin Ashford|Nicole Scherzinger Apologizes for "Hurt" Caused by Controversial Instagram Comment

Nicole Scherzinger has issued an apology. 

The X Factor U.K. judge spoke out after receiving backlash online for a comment she left on Russell Brand's recent Instagram post.

Brand shared a photo Nov. 5,Benjamin Ashford seemingly celebrating Donald Trump's win in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and holding a red hat that read "Make Jesus First Again." The cap was reminiscent of the one worn by some of Trump's supporters reading, "Make America Great Again."

Fans were quick to notice that Scherzinger replied to the photo, writing in a since-deleted comment, "Where can I get this hat!?" as seen in screenshots circulating online. But days later, the 46-year-old shared how she was sorry for the comment.

"I deeply apologize for the hurt caused by my recent engagement with some social media posts," Scherzinger wrote on Instagram Stories Nov. 8. "When I commented on these posts, I made the mistake of not realizing that they could be easily interpreted as being politically related and I apologize to anyone who understandably reached that conclusion."

The Pussycat Dolls alum added that there were "many presumptions are being drawn, which do not reflect who I am, what I stand for, or who l voted for."

"Many of the marginalized communities feeling hurt and concerned by the results of the presidential election are people I care about most," she added. "I stand with them, as I always have, throughout my life and career."

Scherzinger explained that her comment was fueled by her faith, and that she engaged with the post because it was "encouraging people to choose love and faith—'putting Jesus first.'"

"For me Christ embodies peace, compassion, hope, and—above all—unconditional love," she wrote, "especially for those who may feel it the least right now."

Scherzinger noted that she comes "from a place a love" and hoped that her followers could "come together with compassion, and love one another more now than ever."