Star Wars’ Kelly Marie Tran quits Instagram after months of racist abuse

Star Wars actor Kelly Marie Tran has taken down every single one of her posts on Instagram following months of online harassment.

Tran, who is the first woman of colour to play a substantial lead part in a Star Wars film, played Rose in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a mechanic who befriends and later saves Finn (John Boyega).

The film divided fans with some critics hailing it as a bold step forward and others saying it was one of the weaker entries in the series. However, the online abuse and harassment Tran has faced had nothing to do with her performance in the film.

It appears that a lot of people (mostly white males) who call themselves Star Wars fans are pretty racist and sexist, and have spent months harassing Tran on social media. Tran’s entry on the Star Wars Wikipedia (Wookieepedia) was changed to feature racist epithets, and social media trolls have targeted the actress for everything from her appearance to her race.

Now, Star Wars facts has reported that Tran deleted all of her posts on Instagram because of this abuse.

Last year Tran told Variety she felt honoured and overwhelmed to appear in a Star Wars film.

“It feels like a big deal because it’s so rare; I wish it wasn’t. I wish that you and I could be having a different conversation,” Tran said. “I wish that all different types of people of all races and all upbringings were all equally represented in this industry that influences so many people. But the fact is that’s just not true, so it is important to talk about it.”