Netflix's Stranger Things became one of the hottest shows streaming, rocketing its young cast to stardom. Playing Lucas Sinclair was a big break for actor Caleb McLaughlin.
But the experience hasn't been without its drawbacks.
The actor spoke out about the racist abuse he received from fans of the show.
During a discussion at the Heroes Comic Con Belgium event this week, McLaughlin described how racism impacted his experience of being on the series in ways big and small.
See his comments below.
\u201c\ud83d\ude4fCaleb McLaughlin (@calebmclaughlin) brings an important message to the world at @HComicConBE today. \u2764\ufe0f\n\n#StrangerThings\u201d— Heroes Comic Con Belgium (@Heroes Comic Con Belgium) 1664130125
Many Black stars have been subjected to racist attacks.
Halle Bailey faced torrents of abuse since the announcement she will play Ariel in the upcoming DisneyThe Little Mermaid live-action remake, as has Leah Sava Jeffries, who is playing a lead character in the Disney+ adaptation of the Percy Jackson young-adult book series.
In the Star Wars universe, actors John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran received extensive online hate that often included racial slurs and White supremacist rhetoric.
And it isn't just the sci-fi and fiction fandoms with a racism problem.
The contestants of color on RuPaul's Drag Race have cited racist abuse from fans, fewer bookings and fewer social media followers for queens of color. They've also spoken out about racial bias in what White contestants are allowed to say and do without public backlash versus how BIPOC queens are treated.
The racism McLaughlin faced began years ago, right from the start of Stranger Things in 2016.
As he told the Belgian audience:
“My very first comic con, some people didn’t stand in my line because I was Black."
"Some people told me: ‘Oh, I didn’t want to be in line because you were mean to [Millie Bobby Brown’s character] Eleven.’ Even now, some people don’t follow me or don’t support me because I’m Black.”
McLaughlin also said when the show first blew up into a global sensation, he noticed he gained far fewer social media followers than his White costars like Finn Wolfhard and Noah Schnapp.
He discussed the way his parents had to level with him about it at the time.
“My parents had to be like, ‘It’s a sad truth, but it’s because you’re the Black child on the show.' Because I was born with this beautiful chocolate skin, I’m not loved.”
On Twitter, many thanked McLaughlin for speaking out about his experiences.
\u201cMy God. In my home, we absolutely ADORE @calebmclaughlin and when I look at him, I see my baby boy. Caleb you are brilliant and beautiful and all the amazing things. Keep shining, we see you sir. @AAKOMAProject\u201d— Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble She | Her | Hers (@Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble She | Her | Hers) 1664422204
\u201c@HComicConBE @calebmclaughlin Thanks @calebmclaughlin for speaking the truth. Racism is exhausting. Stay strong. The love of your family will see you through. The love of my own black mother gave me strength to deal with incredibly ugly racism.\u201d— Heroes Comic Con Belgium (@Heroes Comic Con Belgium) 1664130125
\u201c@HComicConBE @calebmclaughlin I want you to know that being \u201cBlack\u201d is a gift. We are the coolest, hotest, most talented and smartest race on earth. Wear it proud young King. Don\u2019t worry if they don\u2019t support you that is their problem not yours. Just consider the source. They weren\u2019t worth meeting at all.\u201d— Heroes Comic Con Belgium (@Heroes Comic Con Belgium) 1664130125
\u201c@spideychaIamet @HComicConBE It\u2019s so sad. This is the only character that analyzes threats. Like an adult. He is always the voice of reason. Racists always try to disguise their true reasons.\u201d— leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e (@leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e) 1664119923
\u201c@spideychaIamet it\u2019s crazy how people don\u2019t like lucas for \u201cbeing mean to eleven\u201d anyways because he was the only one being rational\u2026 she was a random little girl with super powers like what??\u201d— leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e (@leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e) 1664119923
\u201c@spideychaIamet @HComicConBE Caleb deserves better. He really does. Lucas deserves better too. I wish I could hug both actor and character. I hate that both are treated awfully.\u201d— leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e (@leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e) 1664119923
\u201c@spideychaIamet Yt audience really don't like the rational black person in media outlets, especially horror ones. They expect us to be like Usher in She's All That or even Brandy in IKWYDLS 2. The ones that just wanna do wild shit and have fun. To them, being rational means being mean/no fun.\u201d— leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e (@leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e) 1664119923
\u201c@spideychaIamet @HComicConBE Sad reading this and hearing him speak on his encounter with racism. It is a bolt to any black child when you first encounter it. I speak from experience. Yet that boy can still try to put a dent in it as best he can.\u201d— leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e (@leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e) 1664119923
\u201c@spideychaIamet @HComicConBE Caleb doesn\u2019t deserve that he is such a big part of stranger things and people treat him like such a background character\u201d— leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e (@leon \u263e met timoth\u00e9e) 1664119923
Despite the racist abuse he has faced, McLaughlin says he's not about to let it change him. He told the audience in Belgium.
“I do not give hate back to people who give hate to me."
He's not letting it slow his career down either. He's set to appear in the high-profile LeBron James biopic Shooting Stars, slated for release next year.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram