Letitia Wright may play Shuri in the record-breaking film Black Panther, but word on the street is Amandla Stenberg was in the pool of actresses up for the role. At the time, Stenberg decided it’d be best to step away from the opportunity. And her reasoning is one of the most applaud-worthy, respectful, genuine, mindful and necessary rationales.
The 19-year old The Hate U Give actress revealed that she stood a good chance of being Shuri in the film, but taking it just “didn’t feel right.”
“I was in the audition process for it, then I decided to not continue with the process because I thought that it wouldn’t be right for me as a biracial, light-skinned American to be playing [the role],” Stenberg told ESSENCE. “I don’t think visually it [would’ve] make sense and it wasn’t appropriate for me to go after that role. Black Panther is one of the only films that we have that has darker-skinned representation. That’s what was so beautiful about it.” Dang, girl. I love how real this response is.
When you think about it, her response makes sense. A study found that dark-skinned actors and actresses have a harder time getting the lead roles in films.
Praise has been rolling in for Stenberg since she shared her decision to back out of the role.
Be more like @amandlastenberg. https://t.co/Hqn7khCq3I
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) March 1, 2018
Hi, I love amandla stenberg more for having the self-awareness to realize that Black Panther was a space to showcase dark complexioned black women. Imagine having that much humility. Wow.
— kalena (@alyssak_private) March 2, 2018
YES TO ALL OF THIS.
Amandla was right to drop out of the auditions and right to speak up about why she did it. https://t.co/J9tCePWtbp
— Wakandan Afro State of Mind (@AfroStateOfMind) March 2, 2018
We couldn’t be prouder to see someone so young take such important action. Bravo, Amandla!