'I would like to take a moment to acknowledge how proud and excited I am to be working alongside @The_AnnaDiop,' the Dove depicter says on Instagram.
- Jul 28, 2018
AceShowbiz - Actress Minka Kelly has taken aim at the "racist cowards" attacking her new Titans co-star Anna Diop over her casting as superhero Starfire in the forthcoming comic book series.
Fans of the DC Comics title were given a sneak peek at the upcoming live-action show during San Diego Comic-Con last week, ends July 22, but some were not impressed at the way Starfire was being portrayed in the project, with Senegalese actress Diop bringing the orange-skinned alien to life onscreen.
Critics have been bombarding Diop's social media pages with racist messages since the trailer was released, and Minka has now had enough of the backlash.
The Friday Night Lights beauty, who plays crime fighting heroine Dove in Akiva Goldsman's much-anticipated show, has taken to Instagram to defend Diop's casting, insisting viewers are "lucky" to have landed such a talent to portray Starfire.
"I would like to take a moment to acknowledge how proud and excited I am to be working alongside @The_AnnaDiop," Minka began her lengthy post, which was accompanied by a side-by-side image of Anna as Starfire and the animated version of the teen character.
"In my humble opinion, @DCUTitans, @theDCuniverse and all of their fans are lucky to have her talent, her grace and her beauty on board," she continued. "While the abhorrent racism in this country seems to be going nowhere anytime soon... the dignity, strength and couth my friend continues to exemplify in the face of it humbles and inspires me".
Minka went on to express her fury at the way Diop has been treated online, with the cyberbullying even briefly driving her offline.
"That so many racist cowards would take the time to attack her Instagram so that she has to shut off comments after having already shut down her entire account once before over this bulls**t makes me feel rage," she wrote. "Though I also feel a small relief knowing how strong and thick-skinned Anna is. I know she is and will be OK".
Minka then shared her admiration for the "courage" Anna has had to display "just to exist as a black woman in this country... let alone to also have the audacity to fight for and follow your dreams".
"I bow to you, Anna. I can't wait for everyone to see the brilliant work you've done," she concluded. "Shine on, my love. You are a queen and all the people who matter know it. #IStandWithAnnaDiop".
Anna has since responded to her co-star's gushing and supportive post, replying, "I'm so grateful for women like you. Who stand with other women. Who give themselves and ask nothing in return. Who show up and stand up. You're the living definitely of a hero and I am so grateful to know you. THANK YOU... I LOVE YOU!!!".
