Chinese-American Actress Chloe Bennet Defends Changing Her Last Name

Chinese-American actress Chloe Bennet was made to defend herself for changing her last name because “Hollywood is racist.”

CHLOE BENNET DEFENDS LAST NAME CHANGE

Born Chloe Wang, the actress had a tough time landing auditions because her last name clearly indicated Asian heritage. Currently she stars as Daisy Johnson on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. She entered the conversation about the Hellboy reboot whitewashing the an Asian-American character by casting white actor Ed Skrein. After hearing of the issue, Skrein decided to step down from the role, and Bennet applauded her fellow actor’s action.

“DAMN, that’s a man. Thank you @edskrein for standing up against hollywoods continuous insensitivity and flippant behavior towards the Asian American community. There is no way this decision came lightly on your part, so thank you for your bravery and genuinely impactful step forward. I hope this inspires other actors/film makers to do the same.??????–Also, dayum cute af AND a pioneer for social injustice?! Fellas, take note. That’s how it’s done,” she posted in support.

However, a handful of people were angered by hers response, pointing out that she changed her last name to appear less Asian in Hollywood. The specific comment has since been deleted, but asserted that Bennet shouldn’t have a say in the conversation about Asian representation in Hollywood because of the name change.

“Changing my last name doesn’t change the fact that my BLOOD is half Chinese, that I lived in china, speak mandarin, or that I was culturally raised both American and Chinese,” she wrote back. “It means I had to pay my rent, and hollywood is racist and wouldn’t cast me with a last name that made them uncomfortable. I’m doing everything I can, with the platform I have, to make sure no one has to change their name again, just so they can get work. So kindly love, f–k off.”

Bennet has received a ton of support since posting her response, including from fellow Asian-American actor Kim Jeong, who screenshot and posted her response on his own page. TV writer Jenny Yang also posted the same with the caption, “My name is JENNY cuz I DON’T WANT HATEFUL TONGUES BRUTALIZING THE TONES OF MY REAL NAME. @ChloeBennet14 IS NOT HERE TO PLAY.”