Current:Home > News'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show -Visionary Wealth Guides
'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show
Surpassing Quant Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-07 16:13:08
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! (4)
Related
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- West Virginia's Neal Brown gets traditional mayonnaise shower after Mayo Bowl win
- Indiana gym house up for sale for $599,000 price tag
- At least 20 killed in Congo flooding and landslides, bringing this week’s fatalities to over 60
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- The Air Force said its nuclear missile capsules were safe. But toxins lurked, documents show
- Alabama coaches don’t want players watching film on tablets out of fear of sign stealing
- 'Fresh Air' staffers pick the 2023 interviews you shouldn't miss
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- 2024 elections are ripe targets for foes of democracy
Ranking
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Founder of the American Family Association dies in Mississippi
- Public libraries reveal their most borrowed books of 2023
- Social media apps made $11 billion from children and teens in 2022
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Ohio State sold less than two-thirds of its ticket allotment for Cotton Bowl
- 'It’s an act of resistance:' Groups ramp up efforts in the fight to stop book bans
- 'That '70s Show' star Danny Masterson starts 30-years-to-life sentence in state prison
Recommendation
Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
Russia unleashes one of the year’s biggest aerial barrages against Ukrainian targets
Bills player Von Miller calls domestic abuse allegations made against him ‘100% false’
50 years ago, Democrats and Republicans agreed to protect endangered species
Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
These End of Year Sales Are the Perfect Way To Ring in 2024: Nordstrom, Lululemon, Kate Spade
Foragers build a community of plants and people while connecting with the past
Massachusetts lottery winner chooses $390,000 over $25,000-per-year, for life