Candace Cameron Bure Defends ‘Fuller House’ Jabs At Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen: Twins Refused Due To Lyme Disease?

Candace Cameron Bure is delighted with the success of the Full House reboot, Fuller House, which reunited almost the entire crew. But two very noticeable exceptions refused to star in the spin-off: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Consequently, Fuller House included some mockery directed at the Olsen twins. But Candace denies speculation that cast members and producers were throwing shade at Mary-Kate and Ashley, instead telling In Touch that it was all in fun.

Although the first season of Fuller House, which airs on Netflix, was prolific when it came to producing jokes about the Olsen twins, Bure revealed the viewpoint of the cast members.

“We thought they were well-done and tongue-in-cheek,” defended Candace.

The 40-year-old actress also contended that because the jokes were done in a way that emphasized the humorous intent, no bullying was intended.

“They were little fun pokes at them and especially ‘breaking the fourth wall’ so many times on the show when we did it, so they were just little nods to the acknowledgement of it — but I thought they were very playful and fun and there was nothing mean-spirited about them at all,” added Bure.

Netflix recently renewed Fuller House for a second season, leading to speculation about whether Mary-Kate and Ashley might change their minds and reunite with the rest of the cast. At this point, Candace admitted she is not sure about the likelihood that the Olsen twins will reprise their role as Michelle Tanner.

As for what is known about why Mary-Kate and Ashley refused, their sister Elizabeth offered a hint of one possible reason when she shared just how much the twins suffered as child actors. Aware of how her sisters were always in the media spotlight, Elizabeth almost avoided acting completely, reported the Daily Mail.

“The media was what I found to be abusive to my sisters, and I thought I really didn’t want to be in the industry,” revealed Olsen.

In addition, another possible reason is Ashley, who is reportedly suffering from Lyme disease, according to a source cited by the Independent.

That health challenge is described as the reason why she has avoided publicity since 2012, and Ashley is described as struggling with Lyme disease for years. Symptoms can range from skin and joint pain to heart problems. The source clarified that because Olsen’s diagnosis was delayed, her health has gone downhill.

“She’s really sick. It’s gotten worse. She was diagnosed in the very late stages so early detection measures weren’t options for her. She’s really going through it…Ashley’s having a very rough time right now.”

Several celebrities have been candid about their battles with Lyme disease, including singer Avril Lavigne and Real Housewives star Yolanda Foster.

“I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t talk and I couldn’t move. I thought I was dying… I had no idea a bug bite could do this. I was bedridden for five months,” revealed Avril.

Yolanda has shared that the disease resulted in memory problems and a variety of sometimes painful symptoms.

As for what the producers and Olsen twins have revealed about their reasons for declining to star in Fuller House, Ashley was the sister who flatly refused, according to People, which shared the revelations from executive producer Bob Boyett.

“Ashley said, ‘I have not been in front of a camera since I was 17, and I don’t feel comfortable acting,'” clarified Boyett. “Mary-Kate said, It would have to be me because Ash doesn’t want to do it. But the timing is so bad for us.”

The timing comment refers to the sisters’ schedule for The Row and Elizabeth and James. Consequently, Fuller House drew upon the twins’ designing careers in the jokes used to cover their absence, describing Michelle as occupied orchestrating her New York fashion empire.

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