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Daisy RidleyStar Wars actress Daisy Ridley was recently asked in an interview about her privileged upbringing and how that has helped her navigate her mega-stardom. Her response left social media fans frazzled and upset.
In an interview with The Guardian, the actress argued that her privileged background, in which she attended a boarding school, did not make her rise to fame any easier.
“The privilege I have – how? No, genuinely, how?” -Daisy Ridley
The Guardian reporter attempted to clarify her question, adding they felt they grew up with privilege as well. Therefore, the question wasn’t asked in criticism, but in genuine curiosity to find out what Ridley’s thoughts were regarding her rise to A-list status and how she handles it.
This is when the conversation takes a turn for the awkward. After a long and tense pause, Ridley responds: “Well no, because, no… John grew up on a council estate in Peckham and I think me and him are similar enough that… no.” Referring to her co-star John Boyega, who grew up in south London to British Nigerian immigrant parents and who was only able to join Theatre Peckham after applying for a hardship fund.
Related: Daisy Ridley on the legacy she wants to leave after Star Wars
Ridley, who plays Rey in the Star Wars Skywalker saga films, attended the independent Tring School for the Performing Arts with a scholarship. She is related to playwright Arnold Ridley. Her grandfather, John Harry Dunn Ridley, OBE, served as head of engineering at the BBC. However, her mother is a banker and her father, a photographer.
As the interview continued, Ridley awkwardly stumbled through her answer, adding: “…I went to a boarding school for performing arts, which was different. I’m not saying what you’re saying is wrong. I’ve just never been asked that before, so I’m like, oh. I don’t think so.”
Fans took to social media to express their disapproval of her comparison with Boyega’s upbringing.
On Twitter, several fans spoke up.
“Daisy Ridley really seems to think that she – a white woman born into immense privilege with a well-connected family in the entertainment biz – has “about the same” privilege as John Boyega – a black man with Nigerian parents who grew up in Peckham. Unbelievable.”
Daisy Ridley really seems to think that she – a white woman born into immense privilege with a well-connected family in the entertainment biz – has “about the same” privilege as John Boyega – a black man with Nigerian parents who grew up in Peckham.
Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/wOIdW0gztq
— Star Whovian (@StarWhovian) December 9, 2019
“One of the most appalling things abt this daisy ridley interview is that in her 4yrs of headlining one of the biggest franchises on earth, this is, so painfully evidently, the very first time anyone has truly invited her to critically confront & examine her own privilege,”
one of the most appalling things abt this daisy ridley interview is that in her 4yrs of headlining one of the biggest franchises on earth, this is, so painfully evidently, the very first time anyone has truly invited her to critically confront & examine her own privilege.
— ham yoyo ?? (@scifibis) December 7, 2019
What are your thoughts on Daisy Ridley’s fan backlash on this interview? Do you think she handled that well? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
Source: The Daily Wire