Candace Cameron Bure, beloved for her role as D.J. Tanner on Full House, is no stranger to public scrutiny. Known for her outspoken Christian faith and conservative values, she’s faced criticism for everything from her 2022 comments on “traditional marriage” to a playful 2020 Instagram post with her husband, Valeri Bure. When some fans deemed the photo “inappropriate” for a Christian celebrity, Bure didn’t back down—she doubled down with humor and confidence, defending her 28-year marriage. Here’s the story behind the controversy, her unapologetic response, and why it still resonates in 2025.
The Photo That Sparked Debate
In September 2020, Bure, then 44, shared two Instagram photos with Valeri, a former NHL player she met at a 1994 charity hockey game, per People. Married since June 22, 1996, the couple has three children: Natasha, 26, Lev, 24, and Maksim, 22, per Us Weekly. The first photo was a sweet family shot, but the second raised eyebrows: Valeri’s arm was around Bure, his hand resting on her chest. Captioned “Sweet and spicy,” the post highlighted their playful chemistry after 24 years, per E! News.
Some followers, expecting a more reserved image from the faith-driven actress, called the photo “racy” and “inappropriate,” per New York Post. On X, @nypost reported the backlash, noting fans’ discomfort with the “handsy pic,” amplifying the controversy. The criticism echoed sentiments from Bure’s 2022 “traditional marriage” remarks, where she faced accusations of exclusion for prioritizing heterosexual stories at Great American Family (GAF), per The Wall Street Journal.
Bure’s Bold ResponseRather than retract the post, Bure addressed critics head-on via Instagram Stories, per E! News. “I’m sorry if it offended you—I’m actually not sorry,” she said with a laugh, emphasizing her joy in a “healthy, fun marriage,” per People. In a follow-up video, she added, “It makes me laugh because it’s my husband. He can touch me anytime he wants, and I hope he does,” showcasing their mutual affection, per Us Weekly. Bure framed the photo as a celebration of a “good and healthy marriage” after 24 years, rejecting prudish expectations, per New York Post.
Her daughter, Natasha, supported her on Instagram, praising her mother’s grace under fire, per Us Weekly. On X, @enews highlighted Bure’s candor, noting she aimed to “destigmatize sex” within marriage, reflecting her broader advocacy for open discussions about intimacy as a Christian. However, some X users, like @FaithfulReader (paraphrased, May 2025), questioned if her response dismissed valid fan concerns, showing mixed sentiment.
Contextualizing the Backlash
The 2020 photo controversy wasn’t isolated. In 2022, Bure sparked significant backlash by saying GAF would “keep traditional marriage at the core,” implying no same-sex leads in its films, per The Wall Street Journal. Celebrities like JoJo Siwa and Hilarie Burton called her comments exclusionary, with GLAAD labeling them “irresponsible,” per NBC News. Bure responded, asserting her “love for all people” as a Christian, but the debate lingered, per People. The 2020 photo criticism, while less severe, tapped into similar tensions: fans’ expectations of Bure’s public persona versus her personal expression.
Bure’s defenders argue she’s entitled to share her marriage’s playful side, with Fox News in 2024 praising her commitment to Valeri as a model for lasting love. Critics, per a 2025 Lipstick Alley thread, argue her dismissal of feedback alienates fans who admire her wholesome image. This duality—Bure’s unapologetic authenticity versus public perception—defines her media presence.
Why It Matters in 2025
At 49, Bure remains a polarizing figure as GAF’s chief creative officer, producing faith-based content, per Wikipedia. Her 2020 photo response underscores her resilience against criticism, a trait evident in her handling of the 2022 GAF controversy, where she felt “misunderstood,” per Just Jared. In a 2024 Yahoo interview, she called the backlash “a really hard time,” citing media miscontextualization, but reaffirmed GAF’s growth, per. Her story highlights the challenges of navigating faith, fame, and personal expression in a divided cultural landscape.
