Kelly Marie Tran of Star Wars fame says her character Rose Tico is one she can relate to as a child of Vietnamese American refugees.
“My parents are both war refugees from Vietnam,” she said to Variety. They had to leave their country and come to a new one, didn’t have their parents with them, didn’t see them for 20-plus years. So, it’s very much entrenched in my family, and my family’s history,” she says. “At one point, you’re like, ‘Who’s Rose and who’s Kelly?’ I don’t know!”
In Star Wars, Tran’s character escaped her home ravaged by the First Order.
Trans appearance in Star Wars set off a racist social media backlash with many bullying her upset that a non-white character had joined the Star Wars universe.
The backlash was so strong, Tran has admitted she needed to see a therapist, and in a movement of self preservation, quit social media.
Commenting about that, her co-star John Boyega said one must be “mentally strong” and not “weak” in dealing with such reaction.
Fans reacted angrily, suggesting Boyega was calling Tran weak. He has since apologized
The final chapter of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker opens in theaters today.
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff or submitting a story.
thanks