Current:Home > Invest'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show -AssetPath
'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show
View
Date:2025-04-20 00:31:44
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! (91312)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- The EPA says Americans could save $1 trillion on gas under its auto emissions plan
- Al Jaffee, longtime 'Mad Magazine' cartoonist, dies at 102
- Louisville appoints Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel as first Black woman to lead its police department
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- NPR quits Twitter after being falsely labeled as 'state-affiliated media'
- Where Are Interest Rates Going?
- Florida's new Black history curriculum says slaves developed skills that could be used for personal benefit
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- The loneliness of Fox News' Bret Baier
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Taylor Swift Goes Back to December With Speak Now Song in Summer I Turned Pretty Trailer
- Child dies from brain-eating amoeba after visiting hot spring, Nevada officials say
- YouTuber MrBeast Shares Major Fitness Transformation While Trying to Get “Yoked”
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- How a Successful EPA Effort to Reduce Climate-Warming ‘Immortal’ Chemicals Stalled
- Researchers Say Science Skewed by Racism is Increasing the Threat of Global Warming to People of Color
- Carbon Capture Takes Center Stage, But Is Its Promise an Illusion?
Recommendation
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
How Greenhouse Gases Released by the Oil and Gas Industry Far Exceed What Regulators Think They Know
Hawaii's lawmakers mull imposing fees to pay for ecotourism crush
The Fed's radical new bank band-aid
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
The big reason why the U.S. is seeking the toughest-ever rules for vehicle emissions
Laid off on leave: Yes, it's legal and it's hitting some workers hard
Your banking questions, answered