Actress Ayo Edebiri is receiving praise for her handling of a question about the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements during a recent interview. Edebiri, alongside co-stars Andrew Garfield and Julia Roberts, was promoting their movie “After the Hunt” on Italy’s ArtsLife TV when journalist Federica Polidoro posed a query about what might have been lost during the era of political correctness and how Hollywood could evolve post the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements.
The trio seemed taken aback by the question, with Roberts requesting clarification and Edebiri eventually stepping in after it was made clear that the question was directed only at Garfield and Roberts. Edebiri, who is Black, emphasized that the movements are far from over, acknowledging that while hashtags may not be as prevalent, activists and individuals continue to actively engage in crucial and ongoing work in response to the charged global environment.
Roberts and Garfield concurred that both movements remain active. The movie, helmed by Italy’s Luca Guadagnino, centers on a Yale professor portrayed by Roberts, whose life is disrupted when a student accuses her colleague and friend of sexual assault.
The interview sparked online reactions, with some denouncing the question and Edebiri’s exclusion as racist and misogynistic. TikToker Chae’ Jones criticized the incident as “highly unprofessional and blatantly racist,” garnering over 1.5 million views. On the other hand, some praised Roberts and Garfield for their handling of the situation, highlighting their deference to Edebiri and their collective media training.
Polidoro defended her questioning style, describing it as a way to provoke uncomfortable discussions and criticizing those who focused solely on the phrasing rather than the actors’ responses. However, her remarks faced backlash, as many felt that her defense did not address the initial exclusion of Edebiri or the surrounding criticism.