Racist remarks became too much for “Titans” star Anna Diop and the actress has been forced to shut down her Instagram comments as a result.
Diop plays Starfire in the upcoming web TV series debuting on the DC Universe streaming service. Fans learned Diop would be playing Starfire in August 2017 and since then, as more information about the show came to light, they’ve been hurling insults at her. When a trailer for “Titans” was released last week, fans began criticizing Diop for being too dark to play the character, who is lighter-skinned in the comics.
“I also don’t care for her skin color I just wish she was cast as a prettier person than Anna Diop,” someone tweeted. “Starfire is supposed to be beautiful even if she is a different color. Maybe Anna Diop should of been Meaghan in [a] later season.”
Similar remarks that reportedly were written on the “24: Legacy” actress’ Instagram page seems to have caused the star to close nearly all of her comments sections, leaving just one of her posts open to comments. There, the star has been getting loads of support.
“Nothing but respect for MY Starfire.”
“A Black actress playing Starfire? I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way tbh.”
“You ARE a superhero.”
Diop hasn’t spoken out on the matter recently, but when racist remarks emerged in April after unpolished set photos leaked of her and her castmates in costume, she hit back.
“It’s out of context and it’s a misrepresentation of the incredible character I get to play. And also a misrepresentation of the phenomenal production behind it all. With that said, the hate speech that followed was deplorable,” Diop said in a now-deleted Instagram post via Comicbook.com. “And though I am highly unbothered, I do want to use this as an opportunity to say that tearing people down is not something that I tolerate. For myself or anyone else.
“Too often social media is abused by some who find refuge in the anonymity and detachment it provides: misused as a tool to harass, abuse, and spew hatred at others.” Diop went on. “This is weak, sad, and a direct reflection of the abuser. Racist, derogatory, and/or cruel comments have nothing to do with the person on the receiving end of that abuse. And because I know this — I’m unfazed. But for anyone out there who may not — I am here to remind you that whatever ugly and negative thing anyone ever chooses to say about you is always a reflection and revelation of themselves — it does NOT define you, and it certainly does NOT make you any less perfect than you are.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PPofXaJ4go
