The Acolyte star Amandla Stenberg recently opened up about the rampant bigotry and hatred she faced throughout her time working on the Star Wars series. With The Acolyte now canceled, her statement sheds light on the targeted attacks she and the cast endured long before the show even premiered. Despite the show’s promise to bring fresh perspectives to the Star Wars universe, the backlash was immediate and overwhelming.
Amandla Stenberg’s Statement on Bigotry and Prejudice
Amandla Stenberg has faced bigotry since childhood and has always stood strong against racism and sexism. On this anniversary of MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech, those who dare to exist in white-dominated spaces still face relentless pushback for existing.pic.twitter.com/q7y7TW6AMd
— Feminegra (@feminegra) August 28, 2024
“It’s not a huge shock for me [that it was canceled],” she shared. “Of course, I live in the bubble of my own reality, but 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.”
In a powerful statement, Amandla Stenberg addressed the overwhelming vitriol that surrounded The Acolyte from the very beginning. This wasn’t just casual criticism—Amandla made it clear that the hatred was deeply rooted in bigotry. She described the experience as “a rampage of hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol, prejudice, hatred, and hateful language.” Unfortunately, this is a recurring pattern within the Star Wars universe, where actors of color have repeatedly faced similar treatment.
The backlash reached such extreme levels that even a completely unrelated movie titled “Acolyte” became a target for review bombing on rating sites. This serves as one of the most glaring examples of bad faith dogpiling in recent years, demonstrating the intensity and coordination of the hate campaign against The Acolyte.
Evidence of Bigotry Faced by Other Star Wars Actors
Amandla Stenberg is just the latest actor of color in Star Wars to face the ugly side of fandom. Unfortunately, this type of harassment has become a disturbing pattern within the franchise. John Boyega knows this all too well, having faced racist backlash from the moment his casting as Finn in The Force Awakens was announced. A vocal group of fans even created the hashtag #BoycottStarWarsVII, accusing the film of promoting “white genocide.” Over time, Boyega became increasingly vocal about the discrimination he faced and has since become a prominent advocate for systemic change in Hollywood. In a show of solidarity, Boyega recently expressed his support for Stenberg on Instagram, symbolically standing by her side during this difficult time.
Similarly, Kelly Marie Tran was subjected to relentless online harassment after her role as Rose Tico in The Last Jedi, much of it fueled by racism and sexism. The vitriol became so intense that Tran ultimately left social media. She later penned a powerful essay, shedding light on the challenges actors of color face in major franchises like Star Wars.
Moses Ingram, who appeared in Obi-Wan Kenobi, also became a target of hate, receiving hundreds of racist messages after her role was revealed. While Ewan McGregor and Disney publicly stood by her, condemning the hateful behavior, the fact that these incidents keep happening shows that the Star Wars community still has much work to do to create a safe and inclusive environment for all its actors and fans.
Why The Acolyte Was So Important
The Acolyte was more than just another installment in the Star Wars franchise—it represented a significant leap forward in diversifying a galaxy traditionally dominated by white male characters. With Amandla Stenberg leading the cast and Leslye Headland at the helm, the show sought to introduce fresh voices and perspectives that had been underrepresented in the Star Wars universe.
Since the announcement of The Acolyte‘s cancellation, the show’s fans have rallied online in an effort to save it. Unsurprisingly, a Change.org petition is already circulating, urging Lucasfilm and Disney to renew the show for a second season. It’s clear that the demand for more of The Acolyte is strong, and fans are determined to make sure their message is heard.
A Disturbing Trend: The Star Wars Fandom’s Treatment of Actors of Color
Amandla Stenberg’s experience is sadly emblematic of a broader, troubling pattern within the Star Wars fandom, where actors of color, LGBTQ individuals, and women consistently face harassment and discrimination. Despite these ongoing issues, Lucasfilm and Disney have often chosen silence over action, failing to publicly condemn the vitriol aimed at their stars. The cancellation of The Acolyte without any statement addressing the toxic backlash only highlights the urgent need for change within the industry.
Amandla Stenberg’s courageous statement serves as a powerful reminder that the battle for diversity and representation in Hollywood is far from over. The bigotry she encountered during her time on The Acolyte is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a disturbing trend within fantasy and sci-fi spaces, where people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and women frequently bear the brunt of toxic fan behavior. As we reflect on the cancellation of The Acolyte, it’s crucial that we continue to push back against this hate and hold studios accountable for fostering inclusive environments that protect all their talent.
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