Certain sects of Star Wars fans have been notoriously brutal in the wake of The Last Jedi, bullying star Kelly Marie Tran off of social media with a barrage of racist and misogynistic comments. Although it feels symptomatic of the times, however, Star Wars backlash has been a problem for a long time.
Ahmed Best, the actor known for playing the much-reviled prequel character Jar Jar Binks, has had a rough career since his character first pissed off fans around the world. In a new post, he revealed that he nearly died of suicide over the backlash.
Though Best didn't address the character by name, he shared a post that reads, "20 years next year I faced a media backlash that still affects my career today. This was the place I almost ended my life. It's still hard to talk about."
Last year, Best told Wired that he received death threats over the character. "I had death threats through the internet," he said. "I had people come to me and say, 'You destroyed my childhood.' That's difficult for a 25-year-old to hear."
Ahmed Best, the actor known for playing the much-reviled prequel character Jar Jar Binks, has had a rough career since his character first pissed off fans around the world. In a new post, he revealed that he nearly died of suicide over the backlash.
Though Best didn't address the character by name, he shared a post that reads, "20 years next year I faced a media backlash that still affects my career today. This was the place I almost ended my life. It's still hard to talk about."
Last year, Best told Wired that he received death threats over the character. "I had death threats through the internet," he said. "I had people come to me and say, 'You destroyed my childhood.' That's difficult for a 25-year-old to hear."
20 years next year I faced a media backlash that still affects my career today. This was the place I almost ended my life. It's still hard to talk about. I survived and now this little guy is my gift for survival. Would this be a good story for my solo show? Lemme know. pic.twitter.com/NvVnImoJ7N
— Ahmed BEst (@ahmedbest) July 3, 2018
