“Blackwashing isn’t a thing, is it?”: Jada Smith’s Queen Cleopatra Star Says Haters are “Threatened by blackness” – Want to Separate Egypt from Rest of the Continent
The recent Netflix show that is under scrutiny is Jada Pinkett Smith’s Queen Cleopatra starring Adele James. Depicting the legendary ruler is no easy job. The real identity of the Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt has been under serious debate for quite a long, and very recently, it was again revisited when Netflix released a teaser for their latest docuseries. This aggravated fans around the globe, and sparked controversy yet again. Thus, the heated debate behind the Queen’s race, well skin color to be specific, again started when Netflix decided to depict Queen Cleopatra as a black woman through James.
The actor, whose face has been plastered all over and is a titular object for this ongoing discussion, decided to break her silence on the topic and share her opinion finally.
Also Read: Amidst Blackwashing Criticism, Queen Cleopatra Star Adele James Reveals “Death Threats”
Adele James on the Queen Cleopatra controversy
Jada Pinkett Smith‘s mini docuseries Queen Cleopatra has been subjected to severe scrutiny after it was revealed that they decided to portray the enigmatic ruler as a black biracial woman. Adele James when asked about it, stated what she thinks of the system clearly. The actress said,
“Blackwashing isn’t a thing, is it?”
Immediately after this, the microphone of the actress started to malfunction and thus many couldn’t catch her speech but what followed left no confusion in their hearts. She continued,
“I find it sad that people are either so self-loathing or so threatened by the Blackness that they feel the need to do that, to separate Egypt from the rest of the continent.”
The Egyptian government is also involved and has further threatened a lawsuit for the “disgraceful” portrayal of such a monumental historical figure. But the actor was quick to dismiss the topic when broached by the host and said,
“Yeah, I know I shouldn’t laugh, but it’s quite funny,—-It’s quite funny. The level of threat that you must feel just on my skin tone, to file a lawsuit against an entire streaming service…that to me, is really extreme. It’s a really extreme reaction.”
She concluded the conversation by requesting the haters to watch the show to know and understand where the creators are coming from and respect their creative vision.
Adele James’ experience so far
Before getting cast as Queen Cleopatra, Adele James had already established herself as a rising star in the film industry. Her notable performances in independent films and television series garnered critical acclaim, showcasing her immense talent and versatility. Despite the controversy surrounding the project, the critics view her performance as one of the best things to look out for in the show. The hatred that the show has been receiving has been very stressful to her, and she revealed it has been one of the most difficult things she had to experience during her time in the industry. She said,
“But this is the biggest thing I have had to deal with in the public sphere,”
However, in a recent interview, she took out the tie to thank her supporters amidst the hatred. She said,
“It’s the most I’ve had to navigate personally, as an actress, this has definitely elevated my profile considerably on an international scale.–There was absolutely a lot of people saying very horrible things, but it definitely wasn’t everyone,”
James further added,
“I think that’s so important to remember that like, in the grand scheme of things, there were some people who lost their minds over it, but there was a lot of really positive responses immediately as well. And it’s remained. It’s consistent. People are so excited. I’m getting messages all the time.—-I would say it’s not wholly negative–And actually, as time has gone on, those voices have gotten quieter and quieter.”
Adele James, despite the controversy surrounding her casting, gracefully handled the backlash. She engaged with skeptics, addressing concerns about representation, and voicing her commitment to honor the historical context of Cleopatra’s lineage.
Source: Bounding into Comics
