Current:Home > Finance'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show -DataFinance
'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show
View
Date:2025-04-16 03:05:44
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! (5228)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Judge rejects Donald Trump’s latest demand to step aside from hush money criminal case
- Replacing a championship coach is hard. But Sherrone Moore has to clean up Jim Harbaugh's mess, too.
- Why Johnny Bananas Thought His First Season of The Challenge Would Be His Last
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Texas church demolished after mass shooting. How should congregations process tragedy?
- ‘Lab-grown’ meat maker files lawsuit against Florida ban
- Developers of stalled Minnesota copper-nickel mine plan studies that may lead to significant changes
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- 4 people shot on Virginia State University campus, 2 suspects arrested
Ranking
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- The Daily Money: Do Harris ads masquerade as news?
- Snickers maker Mars to buy Kellanova, company known for Pringles, Eggos, in $36B deal
- Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik Reveals How Teammates Encouraged Him Before Routine
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- White Florida woman says she fatally shot Black neighbor amid fear for her own life
- Prosecutors seek detention for Pentagon employee charged with mishandling classified documents
- WHO declares mpox outbreaks in Africa a global health emergency as a new form of the virus spreads
Recommendation
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
Barbie x Stanley Collection features 8 quenchers that celebrate the fashion doll
Vitamin K2 is essential to your health. But taking supplements isn't always safe, experts say.
Watch the Perseid meteor shower illuminate the sky in Southern Minnesota
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
Laci Peterson murder case revisited, Scott speaks in dueling documentaries
The Daily Money: Why do consumers feel so dreary?
US agency tasked with border security to pay $45 million over pregnancy discrimination, lawyers say