Current:Home > Stocks'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show-LoTradeCoin
'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show
View Date:2024-12-24 01:16:40
Amandla Stenberg is addressing a recent disturbance in the Force.
The "Acolyte" star, 25, spoke out Wednesday about the cancellation of the Disney+ "Star Wars" series in a video on her Instagram story, saying the news was "not a huge shock for me."
"For those who aren't aware, there has been a rampage of vitriol that we have faced since the show was even announced, when it was still just a concept and no one had even seen it," Stenberg said in the video. "That's when we started experiencing a rampage of I would say hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol, prejudiced hatred and hateful language towards us."
The actor continued that this backlash "really affected me" at first because even though she expected it, it's "not something you can fully understand what it feels like until it's happening to you." But she added that she has "kind of moved through those feelings in various ways."
Created by Leslye Headland, "The Acolyte" starred Stenberg in dual roles as a former Jedi Padawan and her twin sister. It took place 100 years before the events of the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy, a time at which the Jedi were at their height, and was the first of the franchise's shows to be created by a woman.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
The response to "The Acolyte" was mixed among critics and fans. But the show also generated online backlash targeting its diverse cast, some of which started prior to its premiere.
'Star Wars' bosscalls out 'male dominated' fan base's 'personal' attacks on women stars
"The Acolyte" was canceled by Disney+ on a cliffhanger that explicitly set up a second season and teased the introduction of a fan-favorite character, Darth Plagueis.
On Instagram, Stenberg said she is "very sad" about the cancellation but still feels "a lot of levity and joy" around the fact that she had the experience, calling it an "incredible honor and dream" to be in a "Star Wars" show. She also thanked fans who supported the series amid the "targeted attack we received by the alt-right."
New 'The Acolyte' trailerfor May the 4th, plus 'Star Wars' movies, TV shows in the works
After the cancellation, Stenberg's Instagram was flooded with hateful comments celebrating the news and accusing the show of being "woke," while other fans sought to counteract this negativity with positive messages praising her performance and the show. "Man I'm so embarrassed by this fandom sometimes," one comment on Stenberg's Instagram read. "Hope you're doing well and know that you have a lot of support from fans, too!"
There has been a history of people of color joining the "Star Wars" franchise and facing racist backlash from fans, including sequel trilogy star John Boyega and "Obi-Wan Kenobi" actor Moses Ingram. After Ingram received racist abuse following the debut of the Disney+ series, Ewan McGregor came to her defense in a social media video.
"We love Moses," McGregor said. "And if you're sending her bullying messages, you're no 'Star Wars' fan in my mind. There's no place for racism in this world. I totally stand with Moses."
Boyega recently showed support for Stenberg amid the "Acolyte" cancellation news. In a comment on her most recent Instagram post, the Finn actor shared a GIF of Han Solo giving a salute.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- 'SNL' stars jokingly declare support for Trump, Dana Carvey plays Elon Musk
- 2024 NFL scouting combine Sunday: How to watch offensive linemen workouts
- 'Fangirling so hard': Caitlin Clark meets with Maya Moore ahead of Iowa Senior Day
- 12 feet of snow, 190 mph wind gust as 'life-threatening' blizzard pounds California
- Artem Chigvintsev Returns to Dancing With the Stars Ballroom Amid Nikki Garcia Divorce
- Kentucky House passes legislation aimed at curbing unruliness on school buses
- Rihanna performs first full concert in years at billionaire Mukesh Ambani's party for son
- Analysis: LeBron James scoring 40,000 points will be a moment for NBA to savor
- My Chemical Romance will perform 'The Black Parade' in full during 2025 tour: See dates
- Missouri governor commutes prison sentence for ex-Kansas City Chiefs coach who seriously injured child in drunken-driving wreck
Ranking
- A wayward sea turtle wound up in the Netherlands. A rescue brought it thousands of miles back home
- The semi driver rescued dangling from a bridge had been struck by an oncoming vehicle: mayor
- Actor Will Forte says completed Coyote vs. Acme film is likely never coming out
- At least 2 wounded in shooting outside high school basketball game near Kansas City
- Britney Spears Reunites With Son Jayden Federline After His Move to Hawaii
- Man charged with attacking police in Times Square, vilified in Trump ad, was misidentified, DA says
- Prisoners with developmental disabilities face unique challenges. One facility is offering solutions
- A US appeals court ruling could allow mine development on Oak Flat, land sacred to Apaches
Recommendation
-
A pair of Trump officials have defended family separation and ramped-up deportations
-
This classical ensemble is tuned in to today's headlines
-
Philadelphia actor starring in groundbreaking musical comedy that showcases challenges people with disabilities face
-
NPR puzzlemaster Will Shortz says he is recovering from a stroke
-
Whoopi Goldberg calling herself 'a working person' garners criticism from 'The View' fans
-
Who is Nick Sorensen? NFL, coaching resume for new San Francisco 49ers coordinator
-
32 things we learned from 2024 NFL scouting combine: Xavier Worthy sets 40 record, J.J. McCarthy builds buzz
-
The Daily Money: Consumer spending is bound to run out of steam. What then?