Internet reacts to Ayo Edebiri controversy: Netizens say, 'This is wrong on all levels'

Ayo Edebiri, ‘The Bear’ actress, has been trending on social media after quite a cringeworthy interaction with a journalist about #MeToo and Black Lives Matter (BLM). While the viewers called out the interviewer for the intentions and appropriation, the 29-year-old actress was commended for handling the situation gracefully.

Journalist offers her view on the situation

The interviewer claimed that her intention wasn't to harm anyone or their feelings, adding that her mother tongue is Italian. In an Instagram post, she said, "I would like to apologize if my questions was unclear or formulated with the wrong words, as I am Italian mother tongue. What I intended to say was the following: compared to the peak of movemnets such as MeToo or Black Lives Matter, there now seems to be a more cautious and thoughtful approach in assessing individual responsibilities, rather than rushing into social media trials or collective prejuice.

" However, the comment section quickly filled up with people asking her to defend the move of choosing other actors over Ayo Edebiri. One said, "Can you explain why you directed your question about MeToo and Black Lives Matter moovements to only Andrew Garfield and Julia Roberts and not to Ayo Edebiri?" Another said, "You knew what you were doing. You just didn't expect that young lady to stand her ground."

As the matters escalated, the interviewer justified her stance of being from a multi-ethnic background, with an experience of asking questions to people for varied backgrounds.

Moreover, she highlighted that there is not a conformed protocol of asking questions to the interviewee. "Censoring or delegitimzing questions considered "uncomfortable" does not fall withing the practice of democracy," she said.

Ayo Edebiri gracefully handles the perplexing moment

In an interview with the Italian media outlet ArtsLife TV, Edebiri sat along with her ‘After The Hunt’ stars, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield. The interviewer asked whether “#MeToo and Black Lives Matter (BLM) are done,” suggesting the end of two of the most powerful social movements in Hollywood. Raising eyebrows, Julia Roberts said, “Can you repeat that? And with your sunglasses on, I can’t tell which of us you’re talking to.” As the question was specifically asked to Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield, the three actors stumbled upon the interviewer’s remark and found the question perplexing.Edebiri, who wasn’t addressed in the question, gracefully interrupted the conversation, stating, “I know that that’s not for me, and I don’t know if it’s purposeful if it’s not for me… [but] I don’t think it’s done.”

Furthermore, she claimed that the hashtags might not be used as much, but the essence stays with many activists working daily for the greater cause. “That’s not finished. That’s really, really active for a reason—because this world’s really charged.

And that work isn’t finished at all,” she added.

Comments on social media

One user commented, “insanity! a horrible question to begin with but to exclude the person that it pertains to the most? yeah, wild!”

Another added, “wait, why did she choose andrew and julia? i’m sooo confused. this is wrong on all levels but im trying to understand why i would choose 2/3 actors to answer a political question”

A third user mentioned, “her clarifying “the two of you.” when andrew turns to ayo is SO telling!! her intentions were NOT good and she was trying to bait them into saying something hurtful only to look like a CLOWNNNN”