Current:Home > My'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show -Capitatum
'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show
View
Date:2025-04-12 23:09:54
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! (39)
Related
- IOC's decision to separate speed climbing from other disciplines paying off
- Pakistan election results show jailed former PM Imran Khan's backers heading for an election upset
- Bob's Red Mill founder, Bob Moore, dies at 94
- Waymo driverless car set ablaze in San Francisco: 'Putting out some rage'
- Judge says Mexican ex-official tried to bribe inmates in a bid for new US drug trial
- Ryan Reynolds Trolls Blake Lively for Going to 2024 Super Bowl With BFF Taylor Swift
- Mobileye CEO Shashua expects more autonomous vehicles on the road in 2 years as tech moves ahead
- Chiefs TE Travis Kelce yells at coach Andy Reid on Super Bowl sideline
- Clay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin
- Dora the Explorer Was Shockingly the Harshest Critic of the 2024 Super Bowl
Ranking
- Video shows dog chewing cellphone battery pack, igniting fire in Oklahoma home
- 2024 NFL draft order: All 32 first-round selections set after Super Bowl 58
- Kansas City Chiefs Coach Andy Reid Reacts to Travis Kelce’s Heated Sideline Moment at Super Bowl 2024
- Baby girl OK after being placed in ‘safe haven’ box at Missouri fire station
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Judge orders Elon Musk to testify in SEC probe of his $44 billion Twitter takeover in 2022
- Woman slain by officers after opening fire in Osteen megachurch in Houston; child critical
- Nearly half of the world’s migratory species are in decline, UN report says
Recommendation
Michigan lawmaker who was arrested in June loses reelection bid in Republican primary
Steve Ostrow, who founded famed NYC bathhouse the Continental Baths, dies at 91
Nor'easter, snow and storms forecast across New England through Tuesday
Trump faces Monday deadline to ask the Supreme Court for a delay in his election interference trial
Beware of giant spiders: Thousands of tarantulas to emerge in 3 states for mating season
New Mexico officer killed in stabbing before suspect is shot and killed by witness, police say
Alix Earle Reveals Why Dating With Acne Was So Scary for Her
Maine native completes hike of American Discovery Trail, becoming first woman to do it solo