Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

John Boyega Defends Himself After Facing Sharp Criticism For Crude 'Star Wars' Joke

John Boyega Defends Himself After Facing Sharp Criticism For Crude 'Star Wars' Joke
Karwai Tang/WireImage/GettyImages

**Warning: this post contains major spoilers for "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

Actor John Boyega, known for playing "Finn" in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, including Rise of Skywalker, recently spoke up after being accused of writing a misogynistic comment on social media.


On New Year's Eve, Boyega posted a video of himself dancing on Instagram and wrote:

Stepping into 2020 like

A fan hinted that Finn would be doing the same happy dance knowing he has a chance to get together with Rey, who had shared a romantic kiss right before Kylo Ren died at the end of the movie.

The fan wrote:

"My boy after realizing Kylo died so he can date Rey."

In the Rise of Skywalker it is implied that Boyega's character Finn has a secret crush on Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, and has failed in his attempts at verbalizing his affection to her.

The actor responded to the fan and used a sexual term.

"It's not about who she kisses but who eventually lays the pipe. You are a genius."

Here is a screenshot of the Instagram comment captured by @Arbiterwarpig.

Boyega's boastful comment riled social media users.

Page Six identified Twitter user Hannha Crogmen, who in a now-deleted tweet accused Boyega of being jealous of Adam Driver – the actor who played First Order leader, Kylo Ren.

"Bro you;re extremly disgusting and gross also f---ing disrespectful…you cannot be this jealous of adam driver dude."

She added:

"As a black woman i'm f---ing ashamed that someone like you represented us in star wars."

Boyega responded to the backlash by clarifying his quip did not apply to him and his co-star Ridley, but that it was intended for their fictional characters, instead.

"You obviously don't know the difference between a fictional world and reality."

Boyega added that his friend Ridley would not be offended by his comment.

"Daisy knows she isn't the character. Lol so tbh she doesn't give AF."

However, his rationale was not enough to sway those who believed his comment was sexist.




And when a user called him out, he had combative words.

Others accused "Reylos" – a mashup term of Rey and Kylo for those rooting for their romantic involvement – of being too sensitive.


Some fans still had Boyega's back.




But when you are involved in a Hollywood juggernaut like Star Wars, perhaps it is best not to give in to the dark side.

Media outlets reported that Ridley has not personally commented on the issue and that representatives for Boyega have not immediately responded for comments.

In addition to the Star Wars sequels, you can see Boyega in Pacific Rim Uprising available here.

More from Trending

Screenshots from @melanie_in_the_library's TikTok video
@melanie_in_the_library/TikTok

Teacher Reveals Bizarre 'Thank You' Gift Options School District Offers For 10 Years Of Service

You know that feeling of having to laugh because otherwise you'll cry?

Well, there will never be a more reasonable response than that when it comes to signs of teacher appreciation, or lack thereof.

Keep ReadingShow less
TikToker @mylilmad; Southwest airplanes
@mylilmad/TikTok, Kevin Carter/Getty Images

Legally Blind Teen Speaks Out After Southwest Told Her To Sleep On Floor After Canceled Flights

A legally blind college student shared her recent travel nightmare experience on Southwest Airlines during which a representative suggested she sleep on the airport floor after getting stranded in Baltimore.

TikToker Maddie—a.k.a @mylilmad—is a 19-year-old who flies on an average of 12-14 Southwest flights per year, regularly commuting between college in Western Massachusetts and her home in Dallas, Texas.

Keep ReadingShow less
Yared Nuguse
Kevin Voigt/GettyImages

U.S. Olympic Distance Runner Comes Out By Sharing Sweet Photos Of His Boyfriend

Olympic bronze medalist Yared Nuguse officially came out of the closet with a sweet Instagram post introducing his boyfriend.

Nuguse, a middle-distance runner, is renowned for his achievements in the 1500-meter event and securing the bronze medal in the men’s 1500 meters at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jim Banks
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

GOP Senator Slammed After Telling HHS Worker Who Lost His Job 'You Probably Deserved It'

Indiana Republican Senator Jim Banks was criticized after calling a former Health and Human Services (HHS) employee—who had lost his job amid the Trump administration's ongoing effort to gut the federal government—a "clown" who "probably deserved it."

Mass layoffs began Tuesday at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), marking the first phase of a plan to cut 10,000 jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Val Kilmer
Rob Kim/Getty Images

Val Kilmer Shared A Hauntingly Beautiful Painting As His Final Instagram Post—And Fans Are Emotional

On Tuesday, the world learned of the passing of actor and artist Val Kilmer from pneumonia. He was 65.

Kilmer's acting career was in its heyday in the 1980s and '90s when he starred alongside Hollywood heavyweights in films like Top Gun, Willow, The Doors, Thunderheart, Tombstone, and Batman Forever.

Keep ReadingShow less