Naomi Ackie Reflects on Dodging Online Hate with ‘Star Wars’ Role

Naomi Ackie, known for her role as Jannah in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’, recently shared her strategies for avoiding the racist backlash experienced by some of her co-stars. Prior actors like John Boyega and Kelly Marie-Tran faced significant online abuse, influencing Ackie’s approach to her entry into the iconic film series.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ackie recounted the overwhelming experience of her first day on set, dealing with complex stunts that brought her to tears. Yet, her primary concern was navigating the potential for online harassment. Ackie proactively deleted her social media accounts before her casting news went public to avoid any negative interactions.

This decision proved to be beneficial as she managed to steer clear of the expected racist comments. Ackie later reactivated her account, receiving instant verification and a flood of followers as the movie premiered. However, the initial joy of social media faded as she found herself caught up in the less savory aspects of online culture, like jealousy and comparison, which eventually led her to disconnect entirely.

Her minimal role might have played a part in the lesser attention she received compared to more prominent characters. This contrasts with the experiences of Moses Ingram from ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ and Amandla Stenberg from ‘The Acolyte’, who both suffered significant trolling, prompting public defenses from their co-stars and the community.

Ackie’s experience sheds light on the darker side of fame and the proactive steps actors sometimes need to take to preserve their mental health in the face of potential online vitriol.

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