‘It’s Really Unfair’: The Acolyte’s Jodie Turner-Smith Does Not Hold Back About Feeling Like Disney Avoided Defending The Cast From Backlash

‘It’s Really Unfair’: The Acolyte’s Jodie Turner-Smith Does Not Hold Back About Feeling Like Disney Avoided Defending The Cast From Backlash

As a dedicated fan who has witnessed the tumultuous journey of representation in media, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of empathy for Jodie Turner-Smith and her experiences with The Acolyte. Her passion for her craft, as demonstrated by her collaborative efforts with Amandla Stenberg, is truly inspiring. However, it’s disheartening to see how the industry, in this case, Disney, has failed to stand up for its talent when they are targeted with hate and racism.


Despite being canceled due to low ratings, “The Acolyte” continues to be a hot topic in recent television discussions. The series’ fate has become intertwined with the racially charged criticism it faced, and now one of its cast members, Jodie Turner-Smith, is voicing her concerns. In essence, she’s subtly accusing Disney of failing to support the show and its actors.

Jodie Turner-Smith portrayed Aniseya, who is the mother of characters played by Amandla Stenberg. Intriguingly, when handing over a real essay about her character to Turner-Smith, Stenberg aimed to ensure both actresses shared the same understanding of how Stenberg intended to embody her role. Moreover, Turner-Smith expressed admiration for Stenberg’s commitment while conversing with Glamour Magazine.

I’ve never had someone provide me with an essay about their personality before, but when the Virgo in me saw it, I was thrilled! She had put so much effort, thoughtfulness, and affection into it, and it’s disheartening to feel unsupported by my workspace in such a public setting.

On multiple occasions, individuals of color have faced a barrage of hate after being cast in significant films, and Disney has not been immune to this trend. For instance, Halle Bailey and Rachel Zegler were subjected to such treatment upon being chosen for live-action Disney Princess roles. This is not unique to Disney; similar incidents have occurred elsewhere. Jodie Turner-Smith expressed her hope that studios would utilize their platforms to stand with those experiencing this backlash, rather than their typical response of remaining silent on the matter. She further elaborated…

It’s crucial that they refrain from staying silent when individuals are being unfairly targeted online with racism and offensive remarks. Silence in such situations is not just unfair, but it’s particularly unfair.

It’s intriguing that Disney and Lucasfilm have largely kept silent during the controversies surrounding “The Acolyte,” given their history of not typically remaining neutral. Notably, Moses Ingram, a cast member from the “Obi-Wan” series, faced significant racist backlash. However, when this occurred, the official “Star Wars” social media platforms publicly condemned the hate she was subjected to.

Studios often tread carefully when addressing sensitive topics such as this, given their primary concern is financial gain. Yet, the lead actress of “Queen & Slim” posits that backing actors who take a stand against racial injustice could potentially prove more profitable in the long run. She elaborated on…

It would just be nice if the people that have all the money were showing their support and putting their feet down. Say this is unacceptable: ‘You’re not a fan if you do this.’ Make a really big statement and just see if any money leaves. I bet you it won’t, because people of colour, and especially Black people, make up a very large percentage of buying power. They might find that it’s actually more lucrative for them, but everyone’s using ‘woke’ like it’s a dirty word.

Given the lack of signs that such conduct is set to cease in the near future, studios will undoubtedly keep grappling with this issue. In the interim, those subscribed to Disney+ can continue to enjoy streaming the single season of The Acolyte.

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2024-10-07 18:07