Jar Jar Binks Actor Expresses Support for The Acolyte Star Amandla Stenberg: “Keep shining queen”

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As a longtime Star Wars enthusiast, who has weathered the storm of fandom through various highs and lows, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of empathy for those who have faced the brunt of fan toxicity. From Jar Jar Binks to Amandla Stenberg, the victims of this dark side of fandom share a bond that transcends characters and storylines.

The most recent Star Wars series titled ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ has been terminated by Disney following the airing of only eight episodes. This decision didn’t take many by surprise due to the show receiving considerable criticism. Critics argued that the high production costs were unwarranted considering the questionable quality, as it featured logical inconsistencies, weak scriptwriting, mediocre acting performances, and a slow narrative pace.

Essentially, Disney’s main issue was that the series didn’t manage to draw in enough viewers, a problem revealed by industry experts. It wasn’t online criticism but rather lack of interest from audiences that led to its termination.

Although The Acolyte is often seen as a mediocre series, it has unfortunately attracted a large amount of hostile criticism that seems to be driven by prejudice and hostility. This negative sentiment is evident in recent events like fans bombarding the show’s merchandise with poor reviews, which underscores the existence of harmful behavior among its followers.

Amandla Stenberg, along with the rest of the team behind the series, has experienced cyberbullying, particularly since she portrayed the primary characters, Osha and Mae who were twins. Stenberg herself has publicly addressed the prejudice she faced prior to and following the show’s termination. More recently, she expressed her feelings through a personal song that she wrote and released on her own.

Support has emerged from numerous sectors within the industry, among them John Boyega, who himself has experienced discrimination, although it was from Disney rather than fans. Ahmed Best, famous for his portrayal of Jar Jar Binks – previously one of the most contentious Star Wars characters before the launch of The Acolyte – has extended his support to Stenberg via social media, expressing both solidarity and empathy.

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A post shared by Ahmed Best (@bestahmed)

Ahmed Best, who experienced considerable bullying as the actor for Jar Jar Binks, has a deep understanding of how fan criticism can have a profound effect. Although Jar Jar Binks was intended to provide comic relief, his goofy humor and clumsy actions didn’t always sit well with audiences or seemed excessive, which resulted in annoyance instead of laughter for some viewers.

In my gaming world, Best’s depiction, particularly his voice and quirks, didn’t seem to strike a chord with numerous fellow gamers, amplifying the unfavorable responses. The lack of popularity for this character sparked a wave of disdain that often made it challenging to separate the artist from the creation.

Previously, he had spoken openly about the intense harassment he experienced, going so far as to disclose that the hostility led him to consider taking his own life. Having gone through such fan aggression himself, he profoundly understands and shares the struggles of those dealing with comparable problems.

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2024-08-30 12:44