Amandla Stenberg Speaks Out: "The Acolyte" Cancellation and the Shadow of Online Toxicity
Amandla Stenberg, the dual star of the recently canceled Disney+ series "The Acolyte", has taken to social media to address the show’s abrupt end and the backlash it faced. In a series of Instagram Stories, Stenberg revealed she wasn’t entirely surprised by the decision, attributing the cancellation to a wave of online toxicity that targeted the show and its creators from the very beginning.
"It’s not a huge shock for me," Stenberg confessed. "Of course, I live in the bubble of my own reality but for those who aren’t aware there has been a rampage of vitriol that we have faced since the show was even announced—when it was still just a concept and no one had even seen it. That’s when we started experiencing a rampage of, I would say, hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol, prejudice, hatred, and hateful language towards us."
"The Acolyte", created by Leslye Headland, was set during Star Wars’ High Republic era, hundreds of years before the events of the Skywalker saga. The show explored the complex relationship between the Jedi and the Sith, centering on the story of Mae and Osha, twins born with a profound connection to the Force.
While the show aimed to delve into groundbreaking themes and offer a unique perspective on the Star Wars universe, its approach proved divisive, attracting both fervent praise and relentless criticism.
"It’s not lost on me, how the way that these events have unfolded is also due to the hyper divisiveness of the time that we live in, that is driven, I would say at this point, by echo chambers of thought and algorithms that reinforce our biases," Stenberg explained. "And I think that applies to everybody but I think that in a particular sect of people, it manifests as a lot of fear for what is changing, a lot of hatred for anything that is other. And I would challenge us all and challenge myself to continue questioning what it is that I digest and think critically about what shapes it."
Despite the disappointment of the cancellation, Stenberg expressed her gratitude for the experience and the support of the show’s dedicated fanbase. "It has been an incredible honor and dream for me to be in this universe," she said. "Even though of course I’m very sad about the show being canceled and I’m sad about us not being able to give people who are invested into it more, I still just feel a lot of levity and joy around the fact that I got to experience it, and that people loved it and that people were so responsive."
Stenberg went on to specifically acknowledge the overwhelming love and creativity of the show’s fans, particularly those who countered the negative backlash with support and appreciation. "I pored through a lot of different iterations of fan art and ship art and fan theories and things that were just so beautiful and filled my heart with joy," she shared. "And I just want to let those people know out there who supported us in that way, and supported us vocally in the face of all of the vitriol that we received, and the kind of the targeted attack I would say we received by the alt-right, just that you were deeply loved and appreciated, and it made this job all the worthwhile for me and it made all of the challenging elements of it completely worthwhile for me."
Stenberg did not shy away from expressing her admiration for Leslye Headland, the show’s creator, calling Headland "one of the best people in the world" and commending her "incredibly talented and unique" vision.
Ultimately, Stenberg ended her social media message by extending a heartfelt thank you to all of the show’s viewers: “I also just want to thank everybody who watched it,” she concluded. “Thank you for being so loving and supportive and excited and nerdy and awesome and I’ll continue to process this for a long time.”
Stenberg’s candid remarks shine a light on the growing issue of online toxicity, especially within fandoms. While her experience with "The Acolyte" highlights the potential impact of negativity, her words also serve as a reminder of the power of dedicated fans and their ability to create supportive and positive spaces despite the challenges.
The cancellation of "The Acolyte" raises questions about the future of daring storytelling within established franchises. As fandoms become increasingly diverse and passionate, it’s crucial to foster open dialogue and critical thinking while simultaneously condemning harmful rhetoric and targeted attacks.
Stenberg’s message offers a valuable glimpse into the struggles of artists navigating complex issues within a rapidly evolving media landscape. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering appreciation for her fans remind us that creative endeavors, even those that face adversity, can be deeply rewarding and leave a lasting impact on those who embrace them.
