A recent wave of controversy hit the Star Wars universe when actress Moses Ingram, who portrays the Third Sister in the series Obi-Wan Kenobi, shared the troubling messages she received on Instagram. Ingram said she was flooded with hundreds of hostile messages. She suggested that the abuse she encountered was tied to her skin color rather than her performance or the story itself.
Over several Instagram stories, Ingram recounted threats and belittling comments. One message warned that her days could be numbered, while another claimed her casting was a calculated move to push diversity onto the project. These remarks highlighted the harsh reality that public figures, even iconic characters in a beloved franchise, can be subjected to racist attacks online.
Disney stood in support of Ingram, publicly affirming their commitment to protecting cast members and condemning harassment. Through a pair of Twitter posts, the company expressed its stance against abuse and reiterated its pride in the creative team behind Obi-Wan Kenobi, a message that resonated with many fans who value inclusivity in storytelling. The tweets gained widespread attention, garnering tens of thousands of likes and sparking widespread discussion about online behavior and accountability.
We are delighted to welcome Moses Ingram to the Star Wars family and are excited to tell the story of Riva. If someone wants to make her feel unwanted, there is only one thing we can say: we are against it. There are more than 20 million living species in the Star Wars universe, so racism has no place here.
Fan reaction to the company’s support was mixed. Some viewers argued that Ingram’s reception was not about race but about performance elements such as acting and writing. A common critique cited by supporters of the show pointed to script quality and character development as factors shaping audience perception. Metacritic user scores for Obi-Wan Kenobi reflected a divided audience, suggesting that many viewers either love the world-building or feel frustrated by storytelling choices. The conversation extended beyond one cast member, prompting broader reflection on how fans react to diversity in blockbuster franchises.
The discussion also touched on the issue of perceived double standards. Critics argued that previous public feuds involving other actors were treated differently, while supporters noted the persistent challenges faced by actors who belong to underrepresented groups. This ongoing debate has become part of a larger dialogue about inclusion, audience expectations, and the responsibilities of large studios to foster respectful environments for their teams.
Some fans nevertheless stood with Ingram, pointing to early examples of similar experiences faced by other actors in the franchise. They noted past cases involving John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran, who had faced online hostility in relation to their roles as Finn and Rose Tico. The point raised by these supporters is that the Star Wars community has a history of embracing and then challenging its own at times, and the current moment should not blind the public to the realities of online abuse that affect creators across the industry.
Times