The Acolyte Star Amandla Stenberg Responds to ‘Woke’ Backlash from Star Wars Fans
Amandla Stenberg, known for her role in the new Disney+ series The Acolyte, is unfazed by the backlash from some Star Wars fans who have deemed the show as “woke”.
The series, which premiered this week on Disney+, has sparked criticism from certain fans due to the diverse casting choices, including Stenberg as twin sisters Osha and Mae, and Abigail Thorn as Ensign Eurus, the franchise’s first trans actress.
Despite the negative feedback, Stenberg remains unbothered, stating in an interview with British GQ that she finds the “woke” label amusing and insignificant. She has also faced discrimination in the past, particularly after her role in The Hunger Games, but she refuses to let it affect her.
Creator Leslye Headland, who is openly gay and married to Stenberg’s co-star Rebecca Henderson, has denounced any form of bigotry or hate speech from fans, emphasizing that true fans do not engage in such behavior.
New episodes of The Acolyte are now available for streaming on Disney+ in the US, with UK release scheduled for tomorrow. Fans can look forward to weekly episodes of the sci-fi series.