Current:Home > Stocks'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show -GrowthSphere Strategies
'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show
View
Date:2025-04-15 13:40:36
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! (18)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Early results show lower cancer rates than expected among Air Force nuclear missile personnel
- Indianapolis Colts sign 2023 comeback player of the year Joe Flacco as backup quarterback
- Censorship efforts at libraries continued to soar in 2023, according to a new report
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Nikki Reed Shares Postpartum Hair Shedding Problem After Welcoming Baby No. 2 With Ian Somerhalder
- Drake Bell Shares He Was Sexually Abused at 15
- Dozens of performers pull out of SXSW in protest of military affiliations, war in Gaza
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Kentucky should reconsider using psychedelics to treat opioid addiction, attorney general says
Ranking
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Top 5 landing spots for wide receiver Mike Williams after Chargers release him
- Olivia Munn Shares She Underwent Double Mastectomy Amid Breast Cancer Battle
- 10 lies scammers tell to separate you from your money
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Ben & Jerry's annual Free Cone Day returns in 2024: Here's when it is and what to know
- Cities on both coasts struggled to remain above water this winter as sea levels rise
- Mars Wrigley promotes chewing gum as tool to 'address the micro-stresses of everyday life'
Recommendation
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
Texas man who used an iron lung for decades after contracting polio as a child dies at 78
Royal insider says Princess Kate photo scandal shows wheels are coming off Kensington Palace PR
A proposal to merge 2 universities fizzles in the Mississippi Senate
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
A proposal to merge 2 universities fizzles in the Mississippi Senate
Michigan jury returning to decide fate of school shooter’s father in deaths of 4 students
Former Missouri child brides call for outlawing marriages of minors