Jar Jar Binks Actor Expresses Support for The Acolyte Star Amandla Stenberg: “Keep shining queen”
Star Wars: The Acolyte is the latest addition to the Star Wars franchise but has been canceled by Disney after just eight episodes. This outcome didn’t surprise many, as the show faced significant criticism. The high production costs were seen as unjustifiable given the perceived lack of quality, including logical inconsistencies, poor writing, subpar acting, and poor pacing.
Crucially for Disney, the show also failed to attract a sufficient audience, with industry insiders revealing that low viewership—not online backlash—was the primary reason for its cancellation.
While The Acolyte is widely considered a subpar show, it has also been subjected to a significant amount of hateful commentary fueled by discrimination and animosity. Recent instances, such as fans review-bombing of the show’s merchandise, further highlight the presence of toxic behavior within the fanbase.
The cast and crew, especially Amandla Stenberg—who played the main characters, twins Osha and Mae—have faced online harassment. Stenberg has openly discussed the discrimination she encountered both before and after the show’s cancellation and recently responded with a self-written and self-released song.
Support has come from various corners of the industry, including John Boyega, who has faced his own issues with discrimination, albeit from Disney rather than fans. Ahmed Best, known for portraying Jar Jar Binks—once the most controversial Star Wars character before the release of The Acolyte—has also reached out to Stenberg via social media, offering his support and understanding.
Ahmed Best, who faced significant harassment during his time as Jar Jar Binks, understands the impact of fan negativity all too well. While Jar Jar was meant to be comic relief, his slapstick humor and clumsy antics often felt out of place or excessive to some viewers, leading to frustration rather than amusement.
Best’s portrayal, including his voice and mannerisms, did not resonate with many fans, intensifying the negative reactions. The character’s unpopularity led to a campaign of hatred that blurred the line between the artist and the art.
Best has previously opened up about the severe harassment he endured, even revealing that the hatred drove him to contemplate suicide. Given his experience with fan toxicity, he deeply empathizes with others facing similar issues.
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