Amandla Stenberg is no stranger to conversations about race and representation in Hollywood. But when news broke that she would play Princess Amari in the upcoming Children of Blood and Bone film adaptation, controversy followed.

Critics argued that her casting was another example of Hollywood favoring lighter-skinned Black actresses over dark-skinned women, especially in a story where colorism plays a major role. The backlash reignited debates about who gets to tell Black stories and how Hollywood continues to erase dark-skinned representation.

In response, Stenberg released a video addressing the criticism. She defended her casting, explained why she pursued the role, and shared that author Tomi Adeyemi personally supported her selection. But does this response settle the debate? And what does this controversy reveal about colorism in Hollywood?

Who is Princess Amari?

Princess Amari plays a key role in Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel. Her ruthless father rules as king, and she grows up in a society where lighter-skinned elites hold power while darker-skinned people with magic face oppression. Amari rebels against her family and joins the resistance, fighting for freedom alongside Zélie, the dark-skinned heroine.

In the book, Adeyemi describes Amari’s “dark copper skin,” distinguishing her from her lighter-skinned mother. This distinction is important because Amari faces colorism within her own family. Her mother treats her as less beautiful compared to lighter-skinned women in their kingdom, reinforcing the book’s message about how skin tone affects privilege and perception.

Fans who read Children of Blood and Bone saw Amari’s darker skin as a central part of her story. So when the studio cast a light-skinned, biracial actress in the role, critics quickly voiced their concerns.

Does Amandla Stenberg’s Response Explanation Hold Up?

Amandla Stenberg responded to clarify her decision to take the role in Children of Blood and Bone, but the backlash continued. While she explained that she carefully considers colorism in every role and believed her skin tone supported the film’s themes, many remained unconvinced.

After Stenberg’s statement went public, online reactions sharply divided. Supporters defended her, stating that she has every right to accept roles and should not take the blame for the industry’s casting choices. They emphasized that the book’s author chose her and acknowledged her consistent advocacy for Black representation in Hollywood.

However, some critics dismissed her explanation, arguing that as a biracial woman, she does not face the same struggles with colorism as a dark-skinned actress would. Many claimed her character in Children of Blood and Bone experiences discrimination based on skin tone and should have been portrayed by someone with a darker complexion. Some accused her of benefitting from a long-standing industry bias that favors lighter-skinned Black women for leading roles, even in stories where colorism is a central theme.

The criticism has extended beyond this role, with people now using her past work—including a historical romance film set during World War II—against her. However, this same scrutiny is rarely applied to white actors who take on similar roles. Given that she has faced relentless backlash from both white and Black communities, the question remains: Is Amandla welcome anywhere?

Why Was There Backlash?

As soon as the studio announced Amandla Stenberg’s casting, some fans voiced their frustration on social media. Many argued that Hollywood has a pattern of casting light-skinned actresses in roles that should go to darker-skinned Black women. They are not wrong as we have seen the issue of colorism in the industry go unchecked for decades now.

  • Side-by-side comparison of two actresses who played Aunt Viv in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. On the left, Janet Hubert, a dark-skinned Black woman, wears a black and yellow blazer with gold earrings. On the right, Daphne Maxwell Reid, a light-skinned Black woman, wears a red blazer with gold detailing, smiling brightly. The text at the bottom reads: “Dark-Skinned Aunt Viv vs. Light-Skinned Aunt Viv (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air).”
  • Side-by-side comparison of two actresses who played Claire Kyle in My Wife and Kids. On the left, Jazz Raycole, a dark-skinned Black actress, wears a red patterned top and sits at a dining table, looking to the side. On the right, Jennifer Freeman, a light-skinned Black actress with curly hair, smiles in a blue tank top against a pink backdrop. The text at the bottom reads: “Dark-Skinned Claire vs. Light-Skinned Claire (My Wife and Kids).
  • Side-by-side comparison of Storm’s comic book depiction and her portrayal by Halle Berry in the X-Men films. On the left, Storm appears in the comics with dark skin, white flowing hair, and glowing eyes, summoning lightning. On the right, Halle Berry, a lighter-skinned actress, wears a black leather suit with short white hair, raising her hand as if controlling the elements. The text at the bottom reads: “Storm in Comics vs. Halle Berry’s Portrayal (X-Men).
  • A side-by-side comparison of Zoe Saldana and Nina Simone. On the left, Zoe Saldana smiles at a red carpet event, wearing a white dress with long, wavy hair. On the right, a classic portrait of Nina Simone features her wearing a blue patterned headwrap and matching outfit, gazing directly at the camera with a serious expression. This comparison highlights the controversy surrounding Saldana’s casting in Nina, a film about Simone’s life, and the larger conversation about colorism in Hollywood.


Zoe Saldana’s casting as Nina Simone in the 2016 biopic Nina became one of the most glaring examples of Hollywood’s disregard for accurate representation. For many Black women, Hollywood delivered a painful message: it refuses to see them as the right choice to tell their own stories, even in historical biopics. While race-bending in fantasy and fiction sparks debate, erasing the defining features of a real-life figure—a dark-skinned woman with 4C hair, full lips, and a broad nose—felt like a deliberate dismissal of Simone’s identity. It reinforced the idea that Hollywood only embraces Black women’s success when filtered through a Eurocentric lens, refusing to accurately portray those who broke barriers in their truest form.


The controversy over Nina exposed a larger pattern in Hollywood, where studios repeatedly cast lighter-skinned actors over their darker-skinned counterparts, even in roles where skin tone is crucial to the story. This same frustration resurfaced with Amandla Stenberg’s casting, as many saw it as yet another example of the industry’s ongoing preference for lighter-skinned Black actors in leading roles.

Hollywood’s Ongoing Colorism Debate

As fans voiced frustration over Stenberg’s casting, it must be said that this conversation on colorism extends beyond Children of Blood and Bone. In October 2024, fans criticized Aaron Pierre’s casting as John Stewart in DC’s Lanterns series, sparking a similar backlash. Fans immediately criticized the casting choice, arguing that the comics have always depicted John Stewart as dark-skinned. Many saw this as yet another example of Hollywood watering down dark-skinned representation.

Some compared Pierre’s casting to Halle Berry’s portrayal of Storm, pointing out that Hollywood consistently casts lighter-skinned actors for major Black roles. While some defended Pierre’s talent, others felt this decision reinforced colorist beauty standards and ignored the opportunity to cast a darker-skinned actor who better reflected the character’s original design.

Why Do People Accuse Stenberg of Taking Roles Meant for Dark-Skinned Actresses?

Critics have accused Amandla Stenberg of taking roles meant for dark-skinned actresses. This criticism arose during her casting as Starr Carter in The Hate U Give, where some felt the role should have gone to a darker-skinned actress. Illustrator Debra Cartwright, who designed the book’s cover, expressed disappointment over the casting choice, highlighting a broader issue of colorism in Hollywood.

However, author Angie Thomas selected Stenberg for the role before the book’s cover came out. Thomas saw that Stenberg’s spirit and activism aligned with the character and chose her as the right fit for Starr.

A digital graphic featuring a quote from Tomi Adeyemi in blue and pink text, framed inside bold black quotation marks. The quote expresses her admiration for Angie Thomas and Amandla Stenberg, describing how their work inspired her to write about powerful Black women. Below the quote, a smaller text section reinforces this idea. On the right, Tomi Adeyemi is seen smiling, wearing a green sleeveless top with long, blonde and brown locs. The Feminegra logo appears in the top-right corner.

While some fans remain frustrated, viewing Amandla Stenberg’s casting as part of a systemic issue where dark-skinned actresses rarely get leading roles, it’s essential to recognize the authors’ intent and the nuanced considerations involved in casting decisions. Both Angie Thomas and Tomi Adeyemi specifically chose Stenberg for their works. Thomas envisioned Stenberg for The Hate U Give before designing the book’s cover, and Adeyemi has praised Stenberg’s activism and work.

This raises questions about the balance between authorial intent and audience expectations. Should fans have more say over the authors’ work, and must actors fit the exact descriptions of characters to avoid backlash?

When characters are race-swapped to be portrayed by actors of color, the backlash is often swift and intense. Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid sparked racist outrage, despite Ariel being a fictional character. Similarly, House of the Dragon faced criticism for making House Velaryon Black, even though they were originally white in the books. Viewers criticized the casting of Rhaena and Baela because the show chose biracial and Black actors to portray characters who have only one Black grandparent.

The Nigerian Diaspora’s Criticism

Some members of the Nigerian diaspora believe Children of Blood and Bone should feature only Nigerian or Yoruba actors because the book draws heavily from Yoruba mythology. However, author Tomi Adeyemi, a Nigerian-American, crafted the novel’s world through a broader West African lens rather than as a direct representation of Nigerian culture. Adeyemi, who studied in Brazil, has spoken about how her inspiration for the book came from her exposure to depictions of African deities in Brazilian art, rather than from a deep, firsthand connection to Yoruba traditions. Adeyemi learned about Yoruba culture mainly from her parents, shaping Children of Blood and Bone as a fantasy inspired by Yoruba influences rather than an exact cultural retelling.

This debate also reflects deeper cultural tensions within the African diaspora, particularly the long-standing rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa. The Chidimma Adetshina controversy, which ignited xenophobic rhetoric from some South Africans towards Nigerians, highlights how casting a South African in Children of Blood and Bone adds another layer of frustration for some Nigerians. This history of cultural tensions between Nigeria and South Africa makes the casting choices in Children of Blood and Bone even more complex. However, this is not the first time Black actors from different backgrounds have taken on roles outside their own cultures.

Despite the criticism, several Nigerians are part of the cast. Tosin Cole and Damson Idris, both of Yoruba descent, are involved in the film, ensuring that the language and cultural nuances have representation on screen. Additionally, Cynthia Erivo and Chiwetel Ejiofor, though not of Yoruba descent, are still of Nigerian descent. Their inclusion reinforces the idea that Nigerian talent is present in the film, even if the entire cast isn’t exclusively Yoruba.  

Black Actors Have Long Portrayed Figures Outside Their Own Ethnicities

Hollywood has frequently cast Black actors from across the diaspora to portray historical figures outside their own national or ethnic backgrounds. David Oyelowo, a British-Nigerian actor, played American Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, while Idris Elba, who is British-Sierra Leonean/Ghanaian, portrayed Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Similarly, Lupita Nyong’o, a Kenyan-Mexican actress, starred as an enslaved American woman in 12 Years a Slave, and Cynthia Erivo, a British-Nigerian actress, took on the role of Harriet Tubman, the famed African-American abolitionist. Even in stories deeply rooted in African-American history, Daniel Kaluuya, a British-Ugandan actor, portrayed Fred Hampton, the Black Panther leader, in Judas and the Black Messiah. 

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What This Means for Representation in Hollywood

This controversy highlights a much bigger issue: Hollywood has a pattern of casting light-skinned Black women over dark-skinned women. Dark-skinned actresses rarely get leading roles, even in stories about colorism. Fans are tired of seeing colorism ignored in film adaptations of books where skin tone matters.

Amandla Stenberg is not the villain in this story. She is a talented actress who has openly spoken about race, identity, and representation. But this debate is not just about her—it’s about an industry that consistently limits opportunities for darker-skinned women.

A Complex Debate with a Bigger Picture

The conversation around Amandla Stenberg’s casting in Children of Blood and Bone is layered. Stenberg thoughtfully defended her decision, explaining that her skin tone aligns with the story’s themes and that the book’s author supports her casting. However, frustration remains because Hollywood has a long history of favoring lighter-skinned Black actors over their darker-skinned counterparts. Many fans see this as yet another example of an industry that repeatedly overlooks dark-skinned Black women in leading roles.

But this debate isn’t just about one actress or one film. It speaks to Hollywood’s broader failure to create equal opportunities for Black actors of all shades. When audiences see the same casting patterns play out, it shapes how Blackness is represented on screen—determining who gets to be a hero, a love interest, or a leading star. Until those patterns change, discussions about colorism, authenticity, and representation will persist.

At the same time, Children of Blood and Bone represents something bigger. A Nigerian-American author’s vision came to life; a South African actor is working together to contribute to the Nigerian-American’s vision. Black actors across the diaspora (including Nigerian actors from different tribes) are working together to bring this vision to life. The film will be shot in South Africa, boosting local film industries. This isn’t just a Hollywood production—it’s a collaboration across the African diaspora. While debates over representation are valid and needed, this project ultimately uplifts African storytelling on a global scale. Instead of division, this should be seen as a win for black people everywhere, proving that we can create something powerful by working together.

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