Online Trolls Drive ‘Star Wars’ Actress Kelly Marie Tran Off Of Social Media
Kelly Marie Tran, who became famous for being the first woman of color to land a lead role in the Star Wars franchise, cleared-out her Instagram account after experiencing months of harassment on social media.
The Vietnamese-American actress removed all of her posts on her Instagram on Tuesday, leaving only her profile picture and a bio that reads, “Afraid, but doing it anyway.”
Tran only recently made her debut in the franchise with her role as Rose Tico, a resistance fighter from The Last Jedi this past December. However, not all fans have been welcoming to the new character or Tran. According to Huffington Post, her name was changed on Wookiepedia, a Star Wars fansite, to “Ching Chong Wing Tong.” Her name has been changed back since then.
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While Tran has not personally spoken out about the situation, The Last Jedi director, Rian Johnson, has taken to Twitter to speak on her behalf by calling all the online trolls “manbabies.”
What we talk about when we talk about manbabies
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) June 5, 2018
On social media a few unhealthy people can cast a big shadow on the wall, but over the past 4 years I’ve met lots of real fellow SW fans. We like & dislike stuff but we do it with humor, love & respect. We’re the VAST majority, we’re having fun & doing just fine. https://t.co/yhcShg5vdJ
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) June 5, 2018
Mark Hamill, who plays the beloved Luke Skywalker, also commented on the situation, stating how he has had to deal with trolls and haters for “the past 40 years.”
Same here, but over the past 40 years for me. https://t.co/5p2eYexgO6
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) June 5, 2018
Last year I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the beautiful #KellyMarieTran at Star Wars Celebration. You would be hard pressed to find a more genuinely kind & sweet soul. I can assure you that if this is the kind of person you feel the need to harass it is you who is empty. pic.twitter.com/clGZFSe9PT
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) June 5, 2018
Fellow actors in Hollywood also came to support Tran and her role in The Last Jedi, including Kumail Nanjiani, Elijah Wood and Josh Gad.
I totally embarrassingly fanned out when I met Kelly Marie Tran. Rose Tico was unequivocally one of the highlights of The Last Jedi. You’d have to be an idiot to disagree with that.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) June 5, 2018
i ♥️ #kellymarietran and her incredible work in The Last Jedi.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) June 6, 2018
Last year I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the beautiful #KellyMarieTran at Star Wars Celebration. You would be hard pressed to find a more genuinely kind & sweet soul. I can assure you that if this is the kind of person you feel the need to harass it is you who is empty. pic.twitter.com/clGZFSe9PT
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) June 5, 2018
Star Wars: Episode IX is set to be released on December 20, 2019, there is no confirmation if Tran will be returning to reprise her role.
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