Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

'Harry Potter' Star Claims Publicists Told Her To Deny Enduring Racist Attacks From Fans During Filming

'Harry Potter' Star Claims Publicists Told Her To Deny Enduring Racist Attacks From Fans During Filming
Jon Furniss/WireImage/Getty Images; Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage/Getty Images

The Harry Potter franchise has taken some serious hits to its wondrous, magical vibe in the past couple years.

First the series' transphobic author exposed herself, with no horcrux wearing to use as an excuse. Now the fandom has exposed itself with serious racist attacks against certain actors.


Katie Leung, who portrayed Harry Potter's first love interest Cho Chang in the films, recently came forward with stories of how the fandom ridiculed her.

The truth came out during an episode of the Chinese Chippy Girl podcast, when she went on to talk about her role as Cho Chang, her experiences with the cast and some behind-the-scenes memories.

Knowing the importance of the character, Leung decided to explore her character more online.

But she wasn't ready for what she would find.

"I was googling myself at one point, and I was on this website, which was kind of dedicated to the Harry Potter fandom."
"I remember reading all the comments."
"And yeah, it was a lot of racist s**t."
"I just broke down; I just started crying."

Leung also discovered a "hate site" dedicated to her portrayal of Cho Chang and how much the fans hated it.

The comments were racially-charged in nature, calling into question the casting of a young Asian woman who would have romantic ties with two White, British, up-and-coming actors, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory).

To make matters worse, the franchise's marketing team tried to cover it up.

Leung recalled:

"I remember them saying to me, 'Oh, look, Katie, we haven't seen these websites that people are talking about'."
"[They continued,] 'And you know, if you get asked [about this harassment], just say it's not true, say it's not happening'."

Leung struggled at the time with her discomfort.

 "And I just nodded my head. I was like, 'Okay, okay,' even though I had seen it myself with my own eyes."
"I was like, 'Okay, yeah, I'll just say everything's great.'"
"I can't remember much about that part of it because I was so in denial of what was happening."
"I put it to the back of my mind. I don't know if that is the best way to deal with it, but that is naturally what I did in order to move on and be a good actor."

And now she wishes she had handled the situation differently.

"I was really f'king grateful that I was in the position I was in."
"I keep saying, 'Oh I wish I'd maybe said something.' But you can't do that."

After hearing about this, the inclusive people of the fandom spoke out.




And some also came to talk about the more troubling parts of Harry Potter.




Leung is thriving in a variety of other ways now.

Leung went on to portray Cho Chang not only in her initial role in Harry Potter's fourth installment, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but she was also in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and both parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

She has also appeared in multiple other films and TV shows, such as The Foreigner, White Dragon, and Chimerica.

Leung has also spoken out about equality, actively arguing against J.K. Rowling online after her earliest transphobic tweets.

It's wonderful to see Katie Leung finding the space to speak out against these issues, and find her place in the industry.

More from Trending

Woman relaxing in sunhat and sunglasses
Photo by Jordan Bauer on Unsplash

People Explain Which 'Small Luxuries' They Can't Live Without

Many of us have committed to being fairly financially frugal and not overspending on silly, unnecessary things.

That is to say, sometimes, it's fun to splurge on something one time to see what it's like to experience that small luxury.

Keep ReadingShow less
two women in emotional distress seated on couch
Ben White on Unsplash

People Who've Experienced Grief Share The Most Tone-Deaf Things They've Heard

Grief, loss, trauma are all part of life. But for most people, the emotions and reactions that go with them are difficult to witness.

So they rely on platitudes to fill any holes in conversation. That's rarely a good idea.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Mehmet Eser/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Demands 'Boss Of AT&T' Fix Equipment After Failed Conference Call In Bizarre Meltdown

When most of us have technical difficulties, we contact tech support or customer service.

But if you're President of the United States, just ranting on social media—then having your White House Press Secretary post a screenshot of your post on a social media platform people actually use—is apparently the answer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Lauren Boebert speaking to Alex Stein
Prime Time with Alex Stein/Blaze Media

Lauren Boebert Casts Doubt On Moon Landing During Wild Interview With Conspiracy Theorist

Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert was criticized after she seemingly agreed with the conspiracy theory that the moon landing was faked in a wide-ranging interview with conservative conspiracy theorist Alex Stein.

The segment began with the duo casting doubt on nuclear weapons—Boebert even joked about needing "tin foil"—and moved into weirder territory when Stein praised Boebert for "vibing" with him on the topic of the moon landing. Conspiracy theorists have long alleged the moon landing was fabricated by NASA in what they claim was an elaborate hoax.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rosie O'Donnell; Oprah Winfrey
Simon Ackerman/Getty Images; Ernesto Ruscio/GC Images

Rosie O'Donnell Calls Out Oprah For Attending Jeff Bezos' Wedding In Scathing Poem

Among the various celebrity hangers-on who attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's Venice wedding, the one that seemed to generate the most controversy was Oprah Winfrey.

After all, a woman known for her progressive politics whose entire ethos is about teaching people how to be their best selves, attending the wedding of man who directly funded a fascist regime dismantling our country before our eyes doesn't exactly add up.

Keep ReadingShow less