This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant
Kelly Marie Tran had been introduced to the Star Wars Universe via The Last Jedi, and she played mechanic Rose Tico. While some people love her character in the film, Tran had been at the butt-end of social media bullying by people who weren’t big fans of Rose. It apparently got so bad that Tran had to leave social media, and with The Rise of Skywalker coming out, she opens up about how she dealt with the “Fandom Menace.”
Talking to Good Morning America, Tran explained: “I feel great now. I’ve been to therapy, which I highly recommend.” As it turns out, Tran didn’t just need therapy for the bullying, but also for the sudden fame she got for being in Star Wars. She explained that she took therapy “Also just[for] the transition of what it was like. I was very much someone who was working a day job, struggling to be an actor, and suddenly, I was in Star Wars. I think that sort of transition takes a lot of emotional work, if that makes sense. But I’m in a really good place now. I’m excited for this movie to come out. I’m excited to be working with [director] J.J. Abrams. I’m doing great.”
Tran isn’t the first one to receive this kind of bullying online when it comes to the Star Wars fandom. Daisy Ridley also had to quit social media after The Force Awakens, and director Rian Johnson has been getting endless bashing online; it’s almost a miracle that he’s still on Twitter. Not to mention, the fans basically ruined the lives of Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker) and Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks) as well.
For now, there has been a calling out of the toxic members of the Star Wars fandom, and the more positive fans are stepping up to bring a little more optimism online. It’s great to know that Tran is doing well, and I’m hopeful we can see more of her onscreen in the future.
Catch Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker when it hits theaters Dec. 20.
