Current:Home > Scams'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show -MacroWatch
'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show
View
Date:2025-04-19 00:45:47
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! (5147)
Related
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- On The Global Stage, Jacinda Ardern Was a Climate Champion, But Victories Were Hard to Come by at Home
- Inside Clean Energy: Some EVs Now Pay for Themselves in a Year
- And the award goes to AI ft. humans: the Grammys outline new rules for AI use
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- How saving water costs utilities
- Is now the time to buy a car? High sticker prices, interest rates have many holding off
- Jonah Hill's Ex Sarah Brady Accuses Actor of Emotional Abuse
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Take 20% Off the Cult Favorite Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress in Honor of Its 5-Year Anniversary
Ranking
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Carlee Russell admits disappearance, 'missing child' reported on Alabama highway, a hoax, police say
- How Jill Duggar Is Parenting Her Own Way Apart From Her Famous Family
- LGBTQ+ creatives rely on Pride Month income. This year, they're feeling the pinch
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Is greedflation really the villain?
- Erin Andrews and Husband Jarret Stoll Welcome First Baby Via Surrogate
- Mega Millions jackpot rises to $820 million, fifth-largest ever: What you need to know
Recommendation
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Swimming Against the Tide, a Retired Connecticut Official Won’t Stop Fighting for the Endangered Atlantic Salmon
Inside Clean Energy: Some EVs Now Pay for Themselves in a Year
Not your typical army: how the Wagner Group operates
Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
The migrant match game
A New Shell Plant in Pennsylvania Will Soon Become the State’s Second Largest Emitter of Volatile Organic Chemicals
Chad Michael Murray's Wife Sarah Roemer Is Pregnant With Baby No. 3