She won't partake if vaccines are complusory.
There's nothing we look forward to more in the year than the
Rose of Tralee. The glam dresses, the chats with Dáithí Ó Sé and of course, any little bit of drama we can get.
But this wasn't the type of drama we anticipated for the 2022 show, and it's still a year away.
The Ohio rose is the only rose that's been confirmed for the next edition of the competition, but she says she won't make it to the stage if she's forced to get vaccinated.
Speaking on Radio Kerry, Christine Smyth revealed she is refusing to take part in the show if it means she has to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
She said: "I personally am not vaccinated but I’m happy to have the freedom to make that choice. I’m reluctant just because there are so many unknowns currently right now."
"I know a lot of people who haven’t had any problems, but you hear the other side of the story as well and I feel like once it’s done, it can’t be undone."
"It might look completely different next year. So I think we just have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Health would be my priority. I wouldn’t want to put my own health at risk to partake in something that is so extremely special but I wouldn’t choose that over my own personal health."
Christine's Irish roots go back to Co. Clare, and according to her, she dreams to be "an Irish dance teacher, wife, and mother someday."
Nothing has been said yet if contestants for next year's Rose of Tralee will need to be vaccinated to partake, but by the looks of travel restrictions that are coming in, it's highly likely.
