Barbara Kurdej-Szatan has been at the center of controversy after a public exchange in which she criticized border guards protecting Poland’s border security. In a separate online video, the actress voiced concerns about the amount of hostility directed at her and admitted fear about performing on stage, suggesting that someone might remove her from the spotlight.
Actress speaks on perceived injustice and power
In 2021, the actress drew attention for a social media post that contained strong language directed at the border guards. The message described the guards as mechanistic figures lacking emotion, with phrases that conveyed anger and frustration about the actions of authorities. The post sparked a backlash, and authorities brought charges against her for insulting the border guards and their officers. A Warsaw court later upheld the initial ruling to close the case, effectively ending the proceedings against Kurdej-Szatan.
Since then, Kurdej-Szatan has reappeared in various media appearances, presenting herself at times as a victim of what she calls a punitive system and the government associated with the political party in power. In a recent podcast from Małgorzata Ohme, a former TVN breakfast show host, she continued to describe a climate of fear and perceived injustice surrounding border issues, while arguing that the focus should be on the people caught in the border crisis rather than on her personal conduct.
“I experienced fear and a profound sense of injustice as terrible events unfolded at the border, yet attention zeroed in on the fact that a celebrity swore,” she explained. “To me, it was incomprehensible, unjust, and deeply troubling.”
She further commented that power appeared brutal and unyielding, using influence to sway public opinion and maintain control.
Corporate response and disappointment
Kurdej-Szatan also addressed the consequences she faced in her professional life, noting that contracts were canceled and she felt the reaction from corporations was disappointing. She described a sense of rejection that seemed driven by financial motives rather than any higher purpose.
She recalled the moment when an apology and a deleted post were discussed in the media, emphasizing how widespread coverage left her feeling overwhelmed and frightened by the sheer volume of attention from television and online news outlets.
Provocation concerns
The actress raised the possibility that a provocation was being organized against her. She claimed to have received information suggesting that refugees might target her and that certain incidents would be photographed to depict her reaction. Although nothing materialized, she stated that the tip-offs did reach her, contributing to an atmosphere of heightened tension around her public appearances.
During the conversation, she mentioned a fear related to performing in theaters. She described a moment when she believed her image had been misused by media outlets while she was away from Poland, which led to panic and a reluctance to take the stage in Kraków. The theater management reportedly offered security coverage for a broad range of performances.
Inquiries into her public footprint continued as observers questioned whether the emerging pattern of appearances on YouTube channels could become a routine part of her career path.
Additional related discussions surfaced, including comparisons with statements from other media figures and questions about accountability for remarks directed at border guards. The discourse on these episodes remains a point of public debate and media scrutiny. [Citation: wPolityce]
Source tracking and coverage highlight that the discussion around Kurdej-Szatan blends personal experience with broader debates on media responsibility, public safety, and the balance between expression and the impact of online rhetoric. [Citation: wPolityce]