Actress Ayo Edebiri is receiving praise for her reaction during an interview where she was sidelined from discussing the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements. Edebiri, alongside co-stars Andrew Garfield and Julia Roberts, was promoting their movie “After the Hunt” on Italy’s ArtsLife TV when interviewer Federica Polidoro posed a question about the impact of the politically correct era and the future of Hollywood post-#MeToo and Black Lives Matter.
When Polidoro targeted the question solely at Garfield and Roberts, Edebiri, who is Black, interjected, emphasizing that these movements are far from over. She acknowledged that while hashtags may be less prevalent, the ongoing activism and necessary work being done by individuals are crucial due to the charged nature of the world.
Both Roberts and Garfield concurred that the movements remain active. The film, directed by Luca Guadagnino, revolves around a Yale professor, portrayed by Roberts, whose life is shaken up following an allegation of sexual assault against a colleague by a student.
The interview sparked rapid online reactions, with many criticizing the question and Edebiri’s exclusion as racist and misogynistic. TikToker Chae’ Jones condemned the incident as “highly unprofessional and blatantly racist.” Conversely, some commended Roberts and Garfield for redirecting the question to Edebiri, highlighting their adept use of media training.
Polidoro later defended her line of questioning as aiming to provoke uncomfortable discussions, dismissing accusations of racism and emphasizing the importance of the actors’ insightful responses. However, her defense was met with further backlash, as critics pointed out that it failed to address why Edebiri was initially excluded or acknowledge the controversy surrounding that decision.