John Boyega has apologised for "badly worded" comments he made about abuse on social media which people construed as being about his Star Wars co-star Kelly Marie Tran.
In an interview with Variety, the English actor said that "for those who are not mentally strong, you are weak to believe in every single thing that you read."
Fans came to the conclusion that he was criticising Tran, who left social media after being subjected to trolling from people who were upset with her being cast in the franchise as Rose Tico.
Boyega has now clarified his comments, tweeting: "In no way was I referring to Kelly when I made my comments although the interviewer mentioned her given the topic.
"I was really speaking from my own perspective throughout this franchise. Sometimes I've felt strong and sometimes I've felt weak. Badly worded though. I apologize."
In no way was I referring to Kelly when I made my comments although the interviewer mentioned her given the topic. I was really speaking from my own perspective throughout this franchise. Sometimes I've felt strong and sometimes I’ve felt weak. Badly worded though. I apologize.
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) December 12, 2019
He added: "My comments on Kelly specifically and online harassment remains the same via a tweet I put out a few years ago."
My comments on Kelly specifically and online harassment remains the same via a tweet I put out a few years ago.
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) December 12, 2019
Vietnamese-American actress Tran was he first woman of colour to play a leading role in the hit sci-fi series.
After experiencing racist and sexist abuse on social media, she wrote a piece for the New York Times entitled I Won't Be Marginalised by Online Bullying.
She said: "Their words seemed to confirm what growing up as a woman and a person of colour already taught me - that I belonged in margins and spaces, valid only as a minor character in their lives and stories."
