Cynthia Nixon addressed criticism of merely being a celebrity candidate for Governor of New York Wednesday by saying Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D.) was a "celebrity" when he first ran for the position himself.
Appearing on "The Wendy Williams Show," the "Sex and the City" star and liberal activist said President Donald Trump's election in 2016 was the "wakeup call" that inspired her run for the Democratic nomination.
"I love New York," she said. "And I believe so much in New York, and I believe that we're a real, progressive bastion here, and I have to say that for me, the election of Donald Trump was a real wakeup call, as it was a wakeup call for women across the country, that if we don't like the direction our government is going in, we have to step up and we have to get involved like never before."
Nixon touted she has never lived anywhere else but New York, but Williams pointed out she's going up against the "mighty Cuomo dynasty." Cuomo, who is seeking a third term, is the son of former New York governor and progressive icon Mario Cuomo.
"That's tough," Williams said.
"It is tough," Nixon said, laughing. "You know, people talk a lot to me about being a celebrity entering this race, but I have to say, when Andrew Cuomo ran eight years ago, he was a celebrity because he was the son of Mario Cuomo."
"Touché," Williams said.
Cuomo first ran in 2010 after being elected New York Attorney General in 2006. He mocked Nixon's candidacy before she announced it last month, comparing her to other Hollywood actors like Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie.
Nixon said she was running as a New Yorker, a public school parent and a city subway rider, quipping the latter would make anyone want to run for governor.
"I've been going up to Albany and talking to legislators and speaking out, and this year, I finally decided the definition of insanity is doing something over and over and over and expecting a different result," she said. "If you want it done, you actually have to get in there and do it yourself."