Leah Jeffries Says ‘Percy Jackson’ Trolls Tried to ‘Tear Me Down,’ Said ‘You Can’t Play’ Annabeth Like Film Star Alexandra Daddario: ‘They’re Right. I’m Not Her…I Want to Be Myself’
21.12.2023 - 00:51
/ variety.com
Zack Sharf Digital News Director “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” star Leah Jeffries recently spoke to Essence magazine about how her casting as Annabeth Chase in the new Disney+ series initially generated backlash from some toxic fans. Racist trolls were upset that a Black actor was cast as a character described in the books as a blonde white girl. “The White Lotus” actor Alexandra Daddario played Annabeth in Fox’s “Percy Jackson” film adaptations.
In her response, Jeffries had no harsh retaliation and expressed no ill will towards such toxic fans. Instead, her answer might surprise people. “I listen to people say things and try to tear me down,” Jefferies said.
“They say you are not her [Annabeth]. You can’t play her like Alexandra Daddario. But, you know what? They’re right.
I’m not her, and I cannot play like her. But, I’m going to show you who I am, and how I’m going to play it. I’m not trying to be like anyone else.
I want to be myself, and I want to make sure that other girls understand that too.” “Percy Jackson” author Rick Riordan has defended Jeffries’ casting as Annabeth from the start. He published an open letter on his blog in May 2022 after the casting announcement went wide in which he wrote: “Leah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeth’s strength. She will be a role model for new generations of girls who will see in her the kind of hero they want to be.” “If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me,” Riordan continued at the time.
“You have no one else to blame. Whatever else you take from this post, we should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong. As strong as Leah is, as much as we have discussed the
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