Image: AP
Vietnamese-American actress Kelly Marie Tran played the role of “Rose Tico” in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” which premiered last December 2017. Her arrival in the franchise was deemed as progressive and intersectional, as it was the first time a woman of color played a lead role in the 41-year old franchise.
But despite this great leap in the “Star Wars” storyline, many seemed unhappy with Tran’s role in the film, and subjected her to bullying.
Back in December, Tran became a victim of racism and sexism when netizens edited her character page in the Wookiepedia, the Star Wars Wiki, with racial slurs. They also changed her name to “Ching Chong Wing Tong” for one, and called her “stupid,” “autistic” and “retarded.”
Apart from her Wookiepedia page, the netizens also brought their vitriol and hate to Tran’s personal Instagram account where she usually posts for her followers. It seems Tran has had enough of it all, however, as it was discovered recently that she deleted all her Instagram photos.
Her Instagram account shows a bare page, with just a bio that read, “Afraid, but doing it anyway.”
Image: Instagram/@kellymarietran
Twitter fan account Star Wars Facts, meanwhile, confirmed Tran’s deletion in a tweet made yesterday, June 5.
“Kelly Marie Tran has deleted all the posts off her Instagram due to months of harassment she has received for her character Rose in #TheLastJedi.”
Kelly Marie Tran has deleted all the posts off her Instagram due to months of harassment she has received for her character Rose in #TheLastJedi pic.twitter.com/ipxdbDH30C
— Star Wars Facts (@SWTweets) June 5, 2018
Since the announcement, people have since offered their support for Tran.
“I didn’t like her character as much as the next guy but come on guys this is just complete bs,” wrote netizen Ty (@ty_ericks97) yesterday, June 5. “Just because [you] don’t like a character doesn’t give [you] the excuse or right to harass the actor or actress that played the role. We need to be better y’all.”
I didnt like her character as much as the next guy but come on guys this is just complete bs. Just because u dont like a character doesnt give u the excuse or right to harass the actor or actress that played the role. We need to be better y’all
— Ty Erickson (@ty_ericks97) June 5, 2018
Another Twitter user, a certain Ronnie, found the harassment incredulous, writing, “Why did she get harassed?! What the hell is wrong with people? Do people just wake one day go ‘Oh boy I’m going to be a real tumor today!'”
Why did she get harassed?! What the hell is wrong with people? Do people just wake one day go “Oh boy I’m going to be a real tumor today!” Like seriously, whatever reason you have for not liking someone or something, just go away. No one wants you here… leave people alone.
— Ronnie Rubio (@rmrubio13) June 5, 2018
Meanwhile, authors Chuck Wendig and Claudia Gray stood their ground as they defended and supported Tran. Wendig took to his personal Twitter yesterday to say that Tran is a “force for light and joy” and that the harassment she’s received is infuriating.
Kelly Marie Tran’s quote on her Instagram page — “Afraid, but doing it anyway. 🦁” is a thing I adore without reserve. She is a force for light and joy and unabashed engagement with the things you love, and to think of the harassment she’s received is infuriating.
— Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) June 5, 2018
Gray is angry, too, and broke Twitter silence when she expressed her dismay over the fandom. “I’m sorry this entire fandom is harassed by them.”
Temporarily breaking twitter silence bc I’m very, very angry Kelly Marie Tran was harassed by these ghouls. I’m sorry this entire fandom is harassed by them.
— Claudia Gray (@claudiagray) June 5, 2018
Thus far, Tran has not made any statement regarding the issue, and has been on the down low since she deleted all her Instagram posts. It seems she has also deleted her tweets, since her Twitter account is looking bare. JB
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‘The Last Jedi’ star Kelly Marie Tran defended by fans from racist, sexist comments