Current:Home > Stocks'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show -EquityZone
'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show
View
Date:2025-04-18 21:56:43
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! (3766)
Related
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Questions swirl around attempted jailbreak in Congo as families of victims demand accountability
- Chargers QB Justin Herbert one of NFL’s best leaders? Jim Harbaugh thinks so
- Website offers $1,000 for a 'Pumpkin Spice Pundit' to taste-test Trader Joe's fall items
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Biden promotes administration’s rural electrification funding in Wisconsin
- Apalachee High School shooting press conference: Watch live as officials provide updates
- Verizon buying Frontier in $20B deal to strengthen its fiber network
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Orlando Bloom Has the Perfect Response to Katy Perry's NSFW Comments About Sex and Housework
Ranking
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Consumer spending data looks solid, but some shoppers continue to struggle
- They made a movie about Trump. Then no one would release it
- Advocates seek rewrite of Missouri abortion-rights ballot measure language
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- NYC teacher grazed by bullet fired through school window
- Americans who have a job are feeling secure. Not so for many who are looking for one
- New Hampshire US House hopefuls offer gun violence solutions in back-to-back debates
Recommendation
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
Proof Christina Hall and Ex Ant Anstead Are on Better Terms After Custody Battle
Love Is Blind's Shaina Hurley Shares She Was Diagnosed With Cancer While Pregnant
Why is Beijing interested in a mid-level government aide in New York State?
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
The internet reacts to Jenn Tran's dramatic finale on 'The Bachelorette': 'This is so evil'
New To Self-Tan? I Tested and Ranked the Most Popular Self-Tanners and There’s a Clear Winner
Can the city of Savannah fine or jail people for leaving guns in unlocked cars? A judge weighs in