In a surprising turn amid Hallmark Channel’s triumphant 2026 GLAAD Media Award nominations, actor Jonathan Bennett has broken his silence following reports that Candace Cameron Bure publicly apologized to him and fellow Hallmark star Tyler Hynes.

The gesture comes as Hallmark secures three prestigious nominations for the 37th annual GLAAD Awards—recognizing outstanding LGBTQ+ representation—including Bennett’s own projects: season two of the reality competition Finding Mr. Christmas (Outstanding Reality Program) and films A Keller Christmas Vacation and The Christmas Baby (Outstanding Film — Streaming or TV).

Bennett, who has amassed nine GLAAD nominations over five years and claimed victory in 2025 for The Groomsmen: Second Chances alongside Hynes, described the latest honors as “amazing and humbling.” He emphasized that they affirm Hallmark’s unwavering commitment to inclusive storytelling, declaring, “Love is for everybody.”

The apology from Bure—long a polarizing figure after her 2022 departure from Hallmark to Great American Family (GAF), where she championed content centered on “traditional marriage”—marks a dramatic shift.

Her earlier comments, widely criticized as exclusionary and drawing sharp rebukes from GLAAD, celebrities like Hilarie Burton and JoJo Siwa, and the broader LGBTQ+ community, had fueled years of tension.

GLAAD had condemned her stance as using “tradition as a guise for exclusion,” while Bennett himself had proudly highlighted Hallmark’s progressive evolution, contrasting it sharply with GAF’s direction under former Hallmark executive Bill Abbott.

In his candid statement, Bennett expressed deep gratification that Hallmark has steadfastly honored its promise to support and uplift the GLBT+ community through authentic, heartfelt narratives.

“I don’t need an apology,” he asserted firmly. “What we truly need—and what Hallmark has consistently delivered—is genuine recognition, visibility, and respect. These nominations prove that inclusive stories aren’t just tolerated; they are celebrated as essential to family entertainment.”

The development has ignited passionate debate among fans and industry observers. Supporters hail it as a long-overdue acknowledgment of past harms and a victory for representation, while critics question the timing and sincerity, accusing it of being a calculated move ahead of awards season.

For many in the LGBTQ+ community, however, the moment resonates profoundly: after years of fighting for on-screen belonging in the wholesome world of holiday romance, Hallmark’s sustained progress—and Bennett’s unapologetic joy in it—feels like vindication.

As the GLAAD Awards approach on March 6, this episode underscores a broader cultural reckoning. Hallmark’s nominations stand as powerful evidence that networks can evolve, embrace diversity without losing their core appeal, and deliver love stories that truly reflect everyone. Bennett’s words cut through the noise: recognition isn’t optional—it’s the bare minimum for a medium built on heart and hope.