DC ‘Titans’ Star Slams Leaked Set Photos and ‘Hate Speech’

DC hasn’t shown very much of its upcoming live-action Titans just yet, but leaked set photos are causing controversy. Not only are the character designs under debate, but Starfire actress Anna Diop is now contending with hate speech and harassment over social media.

The live-action DC streaming series remains on target for a 2018 premiere, but has only revealed photos of Brenton Thwaites’ Dick Grayson and Alan Ritchson and Minka Kelly’s Hawk and Dove. That changed earlier this week when set photos revealed the basic looks of Ryan Potter’s Beast Boy, Teagan Croft’s Raven and Diop’s Starfire, though – as tends to be the case with set photos – fans were apprehensive of the designs. Diop in particular endured significant harassment, and subsequently hit back over Instagram:

#Breezy 🖤 To the ‘Titans’ fans: Yesterday a photo of me on set leaked online. And it was unfortunate because fans have been waiting MONTHS for a photo of ‘Starfire’ and a sloppy (😐) photo of me on a curb in 15 degree weather is what they got instead 😂 For the sake of our incredible fans - I hated that this is the first picture people are seeing. It’s out of context and it’s a misrepresentation of the incredible character I get to play. And also a misrepresentation of the phenomenal production behind it all. With that said - the hate speech that followed was deplorable. And though I am highly unbothered 💅🏿 I do want to use this as an opportunity to say that tearing people down is not something that I tolerate. For myself or anyone else. Too often social media is abused by some who find refuge in the anonymity and detachment it provides: misused as a tool to harass, abuse, and spew hatred at others. This is weak, sad, and a direct reflection of the abuser. Racist, derogatory, and/or cruel comments have nothing to do with the person on the receiving end of that abuse. And because I know this - I’m unfazed :) But for anyone out there who may not - I am here to remind you that whatever ugly and negative thing anyone ever chooses to say about you is always a reflection and revelation of themselves- it does NOT define you, and it certainly does NOT make you any less perfect than you are - Be you! Stay beautiful! Live breezy :) As always, Much love 💕

A post shared by Anna Diop (@the_annadiop) on Apr 12, 2018 at 2:11pm PDT

The series is written by Akiva Goldsman, DC boss Geoff Johns and DC TV leader Greg Berlanti. The initial press release included a classic cover for The New Teen Titans that features Raven, Starfire, Kid Flash, Robin, Beast Boy, Cyborg and Wonder Girl, though Kid Flash already appears on The CW’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Cyborg remains with the Justice League movies.

It remains to be seen if DC will come forth with more polished looks at the characters, but – as always – don’t be terrible online, folks.

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