“Gotcha” Journalism Strikes Again
Ahead of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, John Boyega is press touring and was interviewed by the shills at Variety about his experience with the “rabid” fanbase of Star Wars fans.
He had this to say, from Variety:
Question from shill journo: But then there’s what happened with Kelly [Marie Tran] about the small subset people who are very vocal and very negative, and having to navigate that.
Answer from actor Boyega: Being in this position, you just understand the masses, how the masses think, you know. Through social media, we get to engage, we get to have fun. But at the same time, for those who are not mentally strong, you are weak to believe in every single thing that you read. That’s, you know, it is what it is. I don’t know, for me anyway, when I see that [backlash], I’m like, well, that’s actually not true. But no, it is actually not true. So it’s kind of like [shrugs] it is what it is. But to engage, to connect with the fans who otherwise wouldn’t get a day to day experience, especially during things like the press tour, and behind the scenes stuff, is always good.
Well, that “small subset people” kept the franchise going for years and propped up its value before the Mouse House got a hold of it so that “small subset [of] people” is going to have an opinion.
And they aren’t always going to know which coddled actress–or actor–has thin skin.
After all, that “small subset [of] people” is lectured to “take it” all the time as the franchise they supported when no one else cared is being pulled apart at the roots, so why can’t the actor?
Head to Twitter to “Apologize”
Of course, then folks like other actors, cyberbullying activists, and the Twitter mob came after Boyega and he then did the second step in the, now common, two-step to Twitter, for actors who get “gotcha” questions:
In no way was I referring to Kelly when I made my comments although the interviewer mentioned her given the topic. I was really speaking from my own perspective throughout this franchise. Sometimes I’ve felt strong and sometimes I’ve felt weak. Badly worded though. I apologize.
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) December 12, 2019
That, of course, would be enough flagellating if we lived in a sane media world, but we don’t, so don’t be looking for Boyega to be doing too many more on-camera interviews ahead of The Rise of Skywalker.
What Are We To Make of All of This?
The internal Disney tracking on the opening box office of The Rise of Skywalker must be dismal, but watch how the Mouse House PR flacks handle the actors moving forward toward December 20th.
First Daisy Ridley had to walk back comments and now Boyega.
Thank you for addressing this. The press tour for alot of us has been really rocky and we just want to see some more positivity coming from the cast. Please understand we meant no harm with this concern. ❤
— 🌻Sυɳƚαƙҽɾ🌻 (@dewiidrop) December 12, 2019
Wait for Oscar Isaacs to be walked back next.
