J.K. Rowling’s Ice-Cold Response to Pedro Pascal’s “Bully” Claims Goes Viral

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J.K. Rowling has fired back at actor Pedro Pascal following his critical comments about her in a recent Vanity Fair article, where he criticized her views on gender and labeled her as a bully. However, Rowling responded with a short and dismissive message that has quickly become popular for its blunt tone and timing, which was posted on social media platform X.

On Monday, J.K. Rowling shared a screenshot of an article headline that said, “Pedro Pascal Speaks Out Against J.K. Rowling” – one of the many news pieces highlighting the actor’s recent statements supporting gender identity advocacy. Her response was succinct and sharp.

Can’t say I feel very shut down, but keep at it, Pedro. God loves a trier.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 28, 2025

“Can’t say I feel very shut down, but keep at it, Pedro,” she said. “God loves a trier.”

The comment, made without further explanation, was generally seen as a frosty dismissal – a deliberate action that stood out starkly against Pascal’s passionate defense in the Vanity Fair interview, where he criticized Rowling’s actions as “disgraceful behavior.

In April, the actor spoke out against J.K. Rowling following her support for a UK Supreme Court decision that upheld the definitions of “man” and “woman” in the Equality Act as based on biological sex. This decision was viewed as a safeguard of women’s rights by some, while others considered it exclusive.

Rowling posted a celebratory photo with the caption, “I love it when a plan comes together,” which Pascal criticized on social media as “awful, disgusting behavior” and labeled it as “heinous loser behavior.” During an interview with Vanity Fair, he revisited this past comment.

Bullies really bother me…,” he expressed. “You see, I’m not just concerned about those dear to me; it extends far beyond that.

Pascal’s younger sibling, who was assigned a gender at birth different from their identified gender, has made this known publicly. Pascal himself has been open and vocal in expressing his views on such topics, often using high-profile events like red carpet appearances and interviews to share his opinions. In the same interview, his elder sister Javiera stood up for Pascal’s past remarks about Rowling, emphasizing that the criticism was a personal matter.

J.K. Rowling has made it clear that her perspectives on certain issues, particularly those related to women’s safety, are deeply personal and rooted in her experiences. However, she seems disinclined to further engage in debates about the topic. In 2020, she penned a heartfelt essay revealing her past as an abuse survivor. She articulated that her opposition to biological males being admitted into women-only spaces is grounded in her own trauma and a determination to safeguard boundaries that shield vulnerable women.

She wrote earlier that she was bringing up these issues not to seek pity, but rather to stand in unity with numerous women who share similar experiences and have faced accusations of bigotry for expressing worries about gender-specific venues.

In contrast to persistent critique from celebrities and media outlets, J.K. Rowling has generally steered clear of direct back-and-forth exchanges. Her recent post, consisting of only 16 words, seemed to counter the media’s portrayal that Pascal had silenced her in some way.

For the first time, I’ve decided to address Pedro Pascal directly, despite the harsh words he hurled at me earlier. In April, his initial outburst left me speechless. However, after his comments blew up online, I subtly responded by switching my X banner to a row of dolls with vibrant hairdos – a move that many saw as a veiled reply.

Previously, images surfaced of Pascal donning a shirt bearing the message “Protect the Dolls,” a slogan linked with gender identity advocacy. The coincidence of Rowling’s banner change along with this subtle reference sparked rumors of a hidden response. However, she chose not to speak on the matter then and refrained from mentioning Pascal explicitly – until today.

This week, J.K. Rowling switched from using subtle hints to outright rejection, effectively dismantling the media’s storyline that Pascal’s sharp, sarcastic remark had muted her in any way.

In my perspective, I’m still in awe of Pascal, who stands tall among the luminaries of Hollywood. He’s set to take on the role of Reed Richards in Marvel’s highly anticipated reboot of Fantastic Four. On the other hand, Rowling, whose magic has already captivated countless readers, continues her enchanting journey with us as she delves into the creation of the upcoming Harry Potter TV series at HBO. Here, she serves not only as a producer but also as the creative mastermind.

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2025-06-30 19:56