Star Wars actor John Boyega apologized after he was accused of calling his co-star Kelly Marie Tran weak.
In an interview with Variety, Boyega talks about the sequel trilogy coming out at the height of social media which gave him a different experience.
Interviewer Adam B. Vary would follow that comment up and ask:
“There’s a sort of double edged sword there. You can get really great engagement. But then there’s what happened with Kelly [Marie Tran] about the small subset people who are very vocal and very negative, and having to navigate that.”
Boyega responded:
“Being in this position, you just understand the masses, how the masses think, you know. Through social media, we get to engage, we get to have fun. But at the same time, for those who are not mentally strong, you are weak to believe in every single thing that you read.”
Related: Star Wars Actor John Boyega Didn’t Realize Fans Believed The Last Jedi “Did Finn Dirty”
He added:
“That’s, you know, it is what it is. I don’t know, for me anyway, when I see that [backlash], I’m like, well, that’s actually not true. But no, it is actually not true. So it’s kind of like [shrugs] it is what it is. But to engage, to connect with the fans who otherwise wouldn’t get a day to day experience, especially during things like the press tour, and behind the scenes stuff, is always good.”
Boyega would then be accused of calling Kelly Marie Tran weak for these comments.
John Boyega Promises to Share True Feelings on Disney’s Star Wars Following The Rise of Skywalker
Nerdist contributing editor Lindsey Romain wrote, “Yeah so here’s a direct quote of John Boyega insinuating Kelly Marie Tran is ‘weak’ for how she dealt with TLJ backlash. I’m…I just… wow.”
yeah so here’s a direct quote of john boyega insinuating kelly marie tran is “weak” for how she dealt with TLJ backlash. i’m… i just… wow. https://t.co/HILjBfa3Bx pic.twitter.com/bEGB8tkm6I
— lindsey romain (@lindseyromain) December 12, 2019
Romain would later add:
“I’m sure he’s not being intentionally malicious but it comes off glib and cruel, and given how many people die by suicide from online bullying, I’m ashamed he doesn’t know better than to say something like this.”
i’m sure he’s not being intentionally malicious but it comes off glib and cruel, and given how many people die by suicide from online bullying, i’m ashamed he doesn’t know better than to say something like this.
— lindsey romain (@lindseyromain) December 12, 2019
Others also accused Boyega of calling Tran weak.
So John Boyega taking shots at TLJ is one thing. It’s unprofessional, and very rude (in this context), but at the same time he has a right to express his opinions. But calling Kelly Marie Tran “weak” for how she dealt with TLJ backlash is just being a dick. It annoys me so much
— ⚡️Damian⚡️ (@DCFlashshill) December 12, 2019
kelly marie tran is not “mentally weak” for getting upset and leaving social media for facing sexist, racist men who fat shamed, name called and threatened her everyday for being in a movie.
— dilara elbir (@elbirdilara) December 12, 2019
One person described his comments as “victim blaming bullshit.”
Wow. I just read that quote from John Boyega calling Kelly Marie Tran “weak” because she opted out of social media for facing harassment from fans. That is not only disappointing coming from him. It’s victim blaming bullshit. He should know better than that. Not okay.
— Lisa Bee (@leebee4life) December 12, 2019
You are right, I think it’s cool that he called Kelly Marie Tran weak for her response after being harrassed for months on social media pic.twitter.com/fsU5DONfqN
— Ben is Back ❄️ (@BenLRitter) December 12, 2019
Boyega would apologize for his comments on Twitter writing:
“In no way was I referring to Kelly when I made my comments although the interviewer mentioned her given the topic.”
He added:
“I was really speaking from my own perspective throughout this franchise. Sometimes I’ve felt strong and sometimes I’ve felt weak. Badly worded though. I apologize.”
In no way was I referring to Kelly when I made my comments although the interviewer mentioned her given the topic. I was really speaking from my own perspective throughout this franchise. Sometimes I’ve felt strong and sometimes I’ve felt weak. Badly worded though. I apologize.
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) December 12, 2019
Related: John Boyega Describes Finn’s Role in Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi as “A Bit Iffy”
Boyega has been quite outspoken while promoting Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
He recently described his role as Finn in The Last Jedi as “a bit iffy.”
He also recently had some words for “uptight” Disney fans who took issue with his dancing at the Notting Hill Carnival. He told them to “shut up.”
Related: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Star John Boyega Tells “Uptight” Disney Fans To “Shut Up”
What do you make of John Boyega’s comments? Do you think he needed to apologize?