Anna Diop Responds To Titans Backlash

DC fans are again in an uproar, this time over the upcoming live-action Titans series, and now Anna Diop responds on social media.

Set images hit the net this week featuring a look at Ryan Potter as Beast Boy, Teagan Croft as Raven, Anna Diop as Starfire and Brenton Thwaites as Dick Grayson/Robin.

The images weren’t too flattering to say the least.

Now Anna Diop has responded to the Titans backlash on Instagram:

To the ‘Titans’ fans: 
Yesterday a photo of me on set leaked online. And it was unfortunate because fans have been waiting MONTHS for a photo of ‘Starfire’ and a sloppy photo of me on a curb in 15 degree weather is what they got instead. For the sake of our incredible fans – I hated that this is the first picture people are seeing. 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. 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. 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 – Be you! Stay beautiful! Live breezy 🙂 As always,

Much love 

 

#Breezy  To the ‘Titans’ fans: Yesterday a photo of me on set leaked online. And it was unfortunate because fans have been waiting MONTHS for a photo of ‘Starfire’ and a sloppy photo of me on a curb in 15 degree weather is what they got instead  For the sake of our incredible fans – I hated that this is the first picture people are seeing. 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. 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. 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 – Be you! Stay beautiful! Live breezy 🙂 As always, Much love 

A post shared by Anna Diop (@the_annadiop) on Apr 12, 2018 at 2:11pm PDT

While Anna Diop is absolutely right that any form of hate speech is deplorable, what must be questioned is WB’s PR policy–as why haven’t they released official images of all the actors? They did release really cool pics of Robin, Hawk and Dove (see below), but they haven’t for all the other characters. Why not? They knew they were going to film outside, and they had to know set pics could possibly hit the net, so why not release first look images that would make the fans happy? Instead – similar to Shazam! – we get questionable set images that are creating a lot of doubt and uncertainty. 

Let’s hope when Titans premiers on the upcoming DC digital streaming service things look a lot better.

Titans also stars Alan Ritchson as Hawk and Minka Kelly as Dove, with Seamus Dever in an unknown role.

Titans follows a group of young soon-to-be super heroes recruited from every corner of the DC Universe. In this action-packed series, Dick Grayson emerges from the shadows to become the leader of a fearless band of new heroes, including Starfire, Raven and many others. Titans is a dramatic, live-action adventure series that will explore and celebrate one of the most popular comic book teams ever.

Titans is written by Akiva Goldsman, Geoff Johnsand Greg Berlanti. Goldsman, Johns, Berlanti and Sarah Schechter are executive producers of the series from Weed Road Pictures and Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.