Noah Centineo faces 'performative activism' backlash as Kimmel controversy spurs Disney debate

Noah Centineo is facing social-media scrutiny after critics accused him of performative activism by canceling his Disney+ subscription amid the Jimmy Kimmel controversy at ABC.

The Miami-born actor, 29, drew attention when he posted a screen grab of his Disney+ cancellation on his Instagram Stories with the line “Save money today,” a move that some commenters interpreted as signaling support for critics of the Walt Disney Company while still benefiting from its entertainment properties. Centineo, who has been publicly associated with several high-profile projects, is also set to assume a lead role in a forthcoming remake of Rambo, a development that has kept him in the spotlight as the online discussion around corporate media and celebrity messaging intensified.

The broader controversy surrounding Centineo comes as ABC announced it would reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show in the wake of criticism over remarks he made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. ABC officials said on Monday that after “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel, the network had decided to return the program on Tuesday. The suspension had been announced earlier in the week, with the network signaling that it would review the comments and their impact on affiliates and viewers.

The decision to restore Kimmel’s show triggered a wave of public reaction across media and politics. Several affiliate groups including Nexstar and Sinclair had said they would not air Kimmel on their stations while the scrutiny continued. Colleagues in the late-night space voiced support for Kimmel; Stephen Colbert, whose own show is facing its own scheduling pressures, celebrated the return of Kimmel’s program during the opening of his own show, joking that the “national late-night nightmare” was over for now. On social media, former President Donald Trump weighed in, praising the suspension as “great news for America” and calling for other late-night hosts to be fired, though he has not issued a direct response to the reinstatement.

Experts and media observers noted that the suspension and reinstatement occurred amid a broader debate about press freedom, ratings, and the influence of political content on entertainment entities. Brendan Carr, the head of the Federal Communications Commission, cautioned that the public conversation around Kimmel’s remarks could have regulatory implications if it reflected broader conduct concerns, though he later said that Kimmel’s situation was driven by ratings rather than federal action. Carr maintained that the industry would need to adjust conduct to avoid further disputes, rather than pursuing punitive licensing actions.

ABC’s announcement highlighted the delicate balance media companies must strike as they navigate political topics, advertiser expectations, and the interests of local affiliates. Disney, which has faced scrutiny over governance and regulatory matters in the past, also operates within a network of approvals and oversight tied to ownership changes and broadcasting deals. In parallel, Nexstar’s and Sinclair’s decisions to preempt Kimmel reflected the tension between network programming and local-market concerns, including regulatory filings and potential licensing considerations. Sinclair, in a brief statement, said it would not air Kimmel on Tuesday and would instead broadcast news programming while discussions with ABC continued. Nexstar and others did not immediately provide comment on their plans for Kimmel’s return.

Beyond the immediate broadcast dispute, the episode underscored how celebrity actions on social media intersect with corporate branding, investor considerations, and political discourse. Disney’s own relationship with content and streaming platforms remains a focal point for analysts, who note that corporate messaging can influence public perception during times of political debate. The company’s ongoing media strategy and relationships with major network partners form part of a broader landscape in which entertainment and politics increasingly collide.

Centineo’s career trajectory continues apace despite the online debate. His involvement in a major remake project has kept him within the public eye, and his latest social-media moment serves as a reminder of how quickly a single post can spark a larger conversation about authenticity, activism, and the responsibilities of public figures in a media-saturated environment.

As the situation settles, observers will be watching whether Centineo’s silent or explicit responses will shape how fans and critics perceive his larger body of work, and whether the Kimmel episode will influence how networks handle tense political topics in late-night formats going forward.