What is it about black girls that make people so ready and willing to tear them down or put them in their place?. newsletter, recently welcomed the two new cast members on his blog, Every movie and show coming to Netflix in March, All the big new games coming out in March, Pokemon Go leader counters for Sierra, Arlo, and Cliff in March 2023, Pokmon Go Rocket Giovanni counters, team in March 2023, PlayStation VR 2 games releasing in March, all upcoming titles for 2023, The official BTS Lego set is now available. Leah is exactly the way I imagined Annabeth in the books: smart, strong and courageous, a true daughter of Athena who has zero patience for the foolishness of a certain Seaweed Brain, Rick shared on his website. The core message of Percy Jackson has always been that difference is strength. The Chris Columbus-directed film was greeted with a lukewarm reception from critics and even worse reactions from devout fans of the series. Let's examine that statement. She is a Black girl playing someone who was described in the books as white. 2 min read Actress Alexandra Daddario has weighed in on the backlash against Leah Jeffries casting as Annabeth Chase in the upcoming They said that Clarisse was white and built. They need to stop. She is not a woman. It is only natural that a new generation of kids will get to see themselves in these characters now. ", "You have decided that I couldnt possibly mean what I have always said: That the true nature of the character lies in their personality. Saying I am not racist! is simply declaring that you deny your own biases and refuse to work on them. What much of this outcry boils down to is fan entitlement, anti-blackness, and misogynoir. I was quite clear a year ago, when we announced our first open casting, that we would be following Disneys company policy on nondiscrimination: We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. Leah Sava Jeffries has an exciting new role she Author Rick Riordan, who wrote the original Percy Jackson novels, released a statement on his website defending the young actress. However, no one is saying the same thing about Tim Sharp. Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. She is not even a teenager. Some of you have apparently felt offended or exasperated when your objections are called out online as racist. Meanwhile, Jaffries will portray Annabeth, a brilliant strategist and a daughter of Athena. Dior herself has mentioned that she is in the gym, as if that matters. "The response to the casting of Leah has been overwhelmingly positive and joyous, as it should be. Who would take roles as the gods and, more importantly, who would be Annabeth? I am so excited for the kids that are going to be cast in that and how theyll inspire a new generation of young women. Following the release of Riordans statement, #LeahIsOurAnnabeth began trending on Twitter, with fans voicing their support for the young actress. You refuse to believe her selection could have been based on merit. Its either something we recognize and try to work on, or its something we deny. You refuse to believe her selection could have been based on merit. Whatever else you take from this post, we should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong. They do not necessarily reflect or represent the opinions of any part of Disney, the TV show, the production team, or the Jeffries family. But this will be an adaptation that I am proud of, and which fully honors the spirit of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, taking the bedtime story I told my son twenty years ago to make him feel better about being neurodivergent, and improving on it so that kids all over the world can continue to see themselves as heroes at Camp Half-Blood. Its a shame such posts need to be written, but they doLeah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeths strength. If I may quote from an excellent recent article in the Boston Globe about Dr. Khama Ennis, who created a program on implicit bias for the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Medicine in Boston: To say a person doesnt have bias is to say that person isnt human. Leahs Annabeth Chase is a true daughter of the Greek goddess Athena, who is a brilliant strategist with an active and curious mind. Alexandra Daddario Supports Percy Jackson Series Casting Of Annabeth Role As Leah Jeffries Speaks Out About Online Bullying, Hoda Kotb Absent From Today Due To Family Health Matter, Savannah Guthrie Still Out After Positive Covid Test, Hoda Kotb's Today Absence Due to 'Family Health Matter', iPhone GIFs Not Working? But I am not racist, you say. Hopefully, hearing from the previous live-action Annabeth may help to quiet the naysayers, as unlikely as that may be. "If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me. Author Rick Riordan, who wrote the original Percy Jackson novels, released a statement on his website defending the young actress. He stated his intent to cast the series without regard for factors like ethnicity and gender, and that Leah Jeffries was the best actress to embody Annabeths strength. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The show is based on the best-selling middle grade series, which takes palce in a world where Greek gods, heroes, and monsters are real. One of the main gripes that anchored discourse in online circles was the way the characters looked. Amandla was fourteen. WebAlexandra Anna Daddario (born March 16, 1986) is an American actress most notable for her portrayal of Annabeth Chase in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. People rejoiced. As more casting announcements are revealed for this television series, it is obvious that Rick Riordan is trying to diversify the world that he created. "The response to the casting of Leah has been overwhelmingly positive and joyous, as it should be," Riordan wrote on his website. Something went wrong. Leah Jeffries is going to be an incredible Annabeth!! Without having seen her play the part, you have pre-judged her (pre + judge = prejudice) and decided she must have been hired simply to fill a quota or tick a diversity box. And now, at least on Disney+, she always will be. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. Who would be Grover? Halle Bailey being cast as Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid had some people saying it was scientifically impossible for a mermaid to be Black. And it seems for the most part that fans (and Alexandra Daddario) cant wait to see Leah Jeffries play everyones favorite daughter of Athena. Percy Jackson's Annabeth Controversy Brought Out Some Fans' Ugly Side By Cara Smart Published May 20, 2022 Casting controversies aren't uncommon, but Percy Whatever else you take from this post, we should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong., The New York Times bestselling author said that although he and Leah discussed the potential for this kind of reaction and the intense pressure this role will bring, the negative comments she has received online are out of line. He added, They need to stop. From look I didnt want to be a half-blood, I was hooked. The casting process was long, intense, massive and exhaustive. Rick Riordan will not stand for any racism toward or bullying of the new Percy Jackson cast. "Watch the show or don't. Friends, that is racism.. Alexandra reprises her role of Annabeth in the film adaptation of The Sea of Monsters. With their casting announcement came waves of backlash. Now., After the announcement, fans of the mythological adventure called out the cast for not staying true to the book, like one Twitter user who said, I really wanted them to do everything by the book. No actor should have to bear their job. At first, there was nothing but excitement. They need to stop. They also cannot imagine a little Black girl playing a hero. "Leah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeths strength. IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. If that doesnt speak to the Black girl experience, I dont know what does. Naturally, rampant anticipation followed the announcement. This page was last changed on 26 October 2022, at 04:22. Annabeth is one of the main characters in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series as well as in The Heroes of Olympus series, as she is one of the Seven demigods of the Prophecy of Seven. In fact, many stans will attach themselves to any white actor who mentions they auditioned for the role instead of supporting the girl who fairly won the role. You can read Rick Riordans full statement here. If they could act, Disney wanted their tapes. ", The author added that those saying Jeffries doesn't fit the role because she's not white are dismissing her "years of hard work honing her craft, her talent, her tenacity, her focus, her screen presence. From look I didnt want to be a half-blood, I was hooked. This is something that other studios have failed to do, but it should not be commended. Annabeth must work ten times harder than everyone around her to be seen as powerful and worthy of being a hero. They say that they could not picture Annabeth as Black, however for myself and many other Black women she was never anything other than that. You have no one else to blame, he said. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. 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Her story is about how she feels ignored, underestimated, and abandoned. Riordan saidhis goal with casting was to find performers who could "inhabit and bring to life the personalities of these characters" regardless of what they looked like. Its how we navigate the world based on what were taught and our own personal histories.. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The conversation turned odious enough for the creative to create a post on his website calling for the end of the harassment the young actor has faced. Alexandra Daddario joins Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan in praising Leah Jeffries after fans criticized her casting as the new Annabeth Chase in Disney+ series. Riordan noted that he made quite clear a year ago that when he began his hunt for actors in the highly anticipated project, we would be following Disneys company policy on nondiscrimination before providing what that entails: We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. Previously Walker Scobell (The Adam Project) was cast in the lead role of Percy Jackson. First, let me be clear I am speaking here only for myself," Riordan clarified. Now. Leah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeths strength. The fact of the matter is that people should not be harassing Leah Jeffries and getting her TikTok removed because they feel a disconnect between her and a fictional book character. You have decided that I couldnt possibly mean what I have always said: That the true nature of the character lies in their personality. They join Walker Scobell, who will portray the titular Percy. Since then, there has been significant backlash to the casting of Jeffries, a Black actress, as Annabeth, described as white with blonde hair in the original books. Author Rick Riordan, who is also writing the series and cast the actors, has responded to the backlash on his blog. In the book, Gabe is also described as fat. In a post on his website, Riordan who wrote the Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series, will write the pilot of the Disney+ series, and executive produce the series noted that most of the responses to Jeffries being cast have been overwhelmingly positive and joyous. But there are still some out there who are upset that Annabeth, who is described as a white girl in the books, will be played by a Black actress and thats who Riordan directed his post at. Arguably, Pattons role as Iris West started the trend of race-bending originally white characters with Black actors. By Aaron Perine When I was 10 years old, I discovered a book series called Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. An open casting call was put out where people could submit auditions regardless of race. Furthermore, Annabeth did not have blonde hair or grey eyes. She should not have to be strong in the face of blatant misogynoir by people who want to put her in her place or dim her shine. Meet the 'Percy Jackson' Series' Annabeth Chase! The idea of blackwashing is a clear example of misogynoir. Rick Riordan made a promise that he was going to try to keep the spirit of his books alive with young actors who would be accurate to the ages of the characters. This post is specifically for those who have a problem with the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase. You should never judge someone by how well they fit your preconceived notions. In a lengthy blog post published earlier this week, Riordan condemned the racist remarks made toward the young star set to play Annabeth Chase in Percy Jackson and the Olympians., This post is specifically for those who have a problem with the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase, Riordan wrote. The response to Diors casting is colored by her being an antagonist, meanwhile, Leah is playing a hero. Author Rick Riordan has openly shared grievances with the previous adaptation, particularly when it came to aging up the characters. History once again repeats itself with Leah Jeffries. People cannot fathom that Black actresses, who auditioned for a role, were better than the white people who tried out. You didnt learn anything from them. Except not quite. The things that distinguish us from one another are often our marks of individual greatness. Rick Riordan, writer and author of the popular fantasy novel Percy Jackson, is speaking out against critics angered by the casting of Leah Jeffries. And by the way, these criticisms have come from across the political spectrum, right and left. He stated his intent to cast the series without regard for factors like ethnicity and gender, and that Leah Jeffries was the best actress to embody Annabeths strength. Riordan also called out the racism displayed by fans, and declared it to be the real reason behind the bullying. Lets not forget that mermaids are literally fictional creatures living under the sea. Now, former Percy Jackson film franchise star Alexandra Daddario has chimed in with a simple but supportive message for the actress taking over her former role. In fact, when the author himself says that you have misunderstood the character as he wrote her, then you know youre wrong. This contributes to the severity of the attacks on these actresses despite vocal support from the author himself. You are judging her appropriateness for this role solely and exclusively on how she looks. Now. Racism/colorism isnt something we have or dont have. Why does no one seem to care that much? Web11 May 2022 by Valerie Complex Deadline Actress Alexandra Daddario has weighed in on the backlash against Leah Jeffries casting as Annabeth Chase in the upcoming Disney+ show Annabeth has always been incredibly important to me. Simadri plays Grover, Percys best friend who is secretly a satyr, a half-man half-goat creature from Greek mythology. Aryan Simhadri (Disneys Spin) and Leah Sava Jeffries (Empire) will join the show as Grover Underwood and Annabeth Chase, respectively. As strong as Leah is, as much as we have discussed the potential for this kind of reaction and the intense pressure this role will bring, the negative comments she has received online areoutof line. If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me. She will be a role model for new generations of girls who will see in her the kind hero they want to be," the creator observed. First, let me be clear I am speaking here only for myself. She also is playing the (10-year-old spoiler alert!) This entitlement is intertwined with white supremacy. Like its so cool, Annabeth is a really inspiring character to people, she said. Fan entitlement is far-reaching. WebBest of 2022 Oscars Best Picture Winners Best Picture Winners Emmys STARmeter Awards San Diego Comic-Con New York Comic-Con Sundance Film Festival Toronto Int'l Film This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. "Some of you have apparently felt offended or exasperated when your objections are called out online as racist. Its a shame such posts need to be written, but they do. That's your call. WebLeah Sava Jeffries (born September 25, 2009) is an actress who will portray Annabeth Chase in the Disney+ adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. 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SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, Percy Jackson Disney+ Series Sets The Adam Project Breakout Walker Scobell in Lead Role, Alexandra Daddario Talks Percy Jackson Disney+ Series and the Chances of Her Return (Video). ", 'Percy Jackson' author Rick Riordan not a fan of the film adaptations, calls them a 'mess', He continued: "You are judging her appropriateness for this role solely and exclusively on how she looks. newsletter, Destiny 2 power level guide, all caps and Powerful and Pinnacle gear sources explained, The best way to increase your Power level in Destiny 2s new Lightfall expansion, Marvel still doesnt know what to do with its most popular hero, Spider-Man, Spider-Man endures, almost in spite of many Spider-Man stories, Sign up for the At times, her character gets into situations that are not pretty. The casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase in the upcoming Percy Jackson and the Olympians series resulted in some backlash from book fans regarding race-related details. Rick Riordan went out looking for the most talented actors to portray the characters that he wrote and when he found them, they just so happened to not be white. From the outset of casting for the Disney+ series, Rick says he made it Friends, that is racism.. Once you see Leah as Annabeth, she will become exactly the way you imagine Annabeth, assuming you give her that chance, but you refuse to credit that this may be true. Leahs co-star, Aryan Simhadri, was not met with the same backlash, nor should he have been. Thats your call. We should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong, Riordan wrote. Alexandra Daddario originally portrayed the role of Annabeth in Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, as well as its sequel The Sea of Monsters. You are judging her appropriateness for this role solely and exclusively on how she looks. They claim that Annabeths story was about overcoming the dumb blonde stereotype in a world full of brunettes. In comparison to Elba, the backlash against Thompson was more violent and consistent. She doesnt look the way I always imagined.. Warm messages continued to pour in, including one from a Twitter user who commented, A REMINDER THAT NO HATE FOR WALKER SCOBELL, LEAH SAVA JEFFRIES, AND ARYAN SIMHADRI ARE ALLOWED. These thoughts are mine alone. She will be a role model for new generations of girls who will see in her the kind of hero they want to be. main love interest for Percy. In fact, this should be the norm. Instead, it was about how audiences could not imagine Rue as anything but white, despite her being Black in the book. Her fellow district member Thresh Morrowson was played by dark-skinned actor Dayo Okeniyi, yet he faced almost zero backlash. When reading the reactions to his casting most of the comments were about how genius Riordans casting was except for a few expected trolls. Copyright 2023 ComicBook.com. Another critique Ive seen about the Annabeth casting has been why race-bend one character when we can create new Black characters? I counter with this question: why must they be mutually exclusive? On Tuesday, the author issued a lengthy statement defending the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase. ", Related:Joshua Cohen's 'The Netanyahus,' more awarded 2022 Pulitzer Prizes in books, drama, music. "Buckle up, demigods. Dislikes: cilantro, the NJ Turnpike, sneaker wedges. Alexandra Daddario is talking all about Disney+s upcoming Percy Jackson series, which is expected to debut sometime in 2022. If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me. 'It is not racist to want an actor who is accurate to the books description of the character!' Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. By Petrana Radulovic May 5, 2022, 1:48pm EDT Image: Disney The main trio of Percy Jackson and the Olympians has officially been cast for the upcoming Disney Plus The trio had been finalized and they will soon begin filming in March. She does not have superpowers like her closest friends. 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Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy. And not just white people like me. Everyone was talking about the show; Percy trended on Twitter all day. Other commentators online have likened the treatment of the young actress to how John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran were treatedduring their Star Wars tenures. She has also always been Black to me. We did that. WebThen, on June 2, 2022, Variety and Rick Riordan announced five adult cast members joining the Percy Jackson crew. Sign up to receive The Atlanta Black Star Newsletter in your inbox. The only gift her mother ever gave her was an invisibility hat. The author noted, We did that, and The casting process was long, intense, massive and exhaustive.. Leah Jeffries is Annabeth Chase. While Walker does not have Percys signature Black hair, Riordan assured everyone that he embodied Percy the best. This was also one of those days when I realized that my childhood interest, one of my most favorite things, was shared by so many different people. Filming for Percy Jackson and the Olympians begins this summer in Vancouver. IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. Rick Riordan, the author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, is speaking out against racist backlash from fans upset with the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase in the upcoming Disney+ adaptation. Lets Go!! Other notable castings include Glynn Turman as Chiron, Timm Sharp as Gabe Ugliano, and Dior Goodjohn as Clarisse La Rue. You feel I must have been coerced, brainwashed, bribed, threatened, whatever, or I as a white male author never would have chosen a Black actor for the part of this canonically white girl. All people. Muscles can be built. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. 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