Actress Kirstie Alley is being repeatedly confused for “Christie Ally” — or an associate of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R).
The New York Times inadvertently started the mix-up
on Friday morning with a headline declaring, “Christie Ally to Plead Guilty in New Jersey Bridge Scandal.”
That ally is David Wildstein, the former director of interstate capital projects at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Wildstein is not, it apparently should be noted, “Cheers” actress Kirstie Alley. But people nevertheless had some difficulty distinguishing the two:
Pre-coffee, I read this four times as “Kirstie Alley.” Which would have been an even more unexpected twist. pic.twitter.com/oMow8IIc9f
— Jody Avirgan (@jodyavirgan) May 1, 2015
At first glance, I read this headline as “Kirstie Alley to Plead Guilty in New Jersey Bridge Scandal”. pic.twitter.com/EO52afPcsh
— Nick Greusel (@NGreusel) May 1, 2015
At first I thought they were talking about Kirstie Alley.”Christie Ally to Plead Guilty in New Jersey Bridge Scandal”
— Dick Higdon (@DickHigdon) May 1, 2015
Eventually, Alley’s name began to trend on Twitter and the actress herself weighed in:
And THIS is how rumours once again get started…jeez…hasn’t even been a week since my last accusation…
— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) May 1, 2015
She also responded to an image of a New York Times article featuring a photo of Christie replaced with herself. The newspaper told Business Insider, however, that the photo was fake. “There was no error by The Times,” spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha said.
@philipwinn @nytimes now Phillip..as a newsman you might want to check your facts..Chirstie Ally is NOT Kirstie Alley…see how that works?
— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) May 1, 2015
Kirstie Alley to Plead Guilty in New Jersey Bridge Closings pic.twitter.com/bCIru9YO5L
— Philip Winn (@philipwinn) May 1, 2015
Wildstein is involved in the “Bridgegate” scandal that engulfed Christie’s administration and hurt his prospects in the 2016 presidential race. Wildstein ordered the September 2013 lane closures on the George Washington Bridge that some say was political retaliation against the mayor whose town was devastated by the resulting traffic.
NOW WATCH: This simple exercise will work out every muscle in your body
NOW WATCH: Briefing videos
Business Insider Emails & Alerts
Site highlights each day to your inbox.
Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.