For Anyone Confused By The Backlash Around Amandla Stenberg Being Cast In “Children Of Blood
Earlier this week, Variety announced the cast for the highly anticipated film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, based on Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel. The movie, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, will feature Thuso Mbedu as Zélie, Tosin Cole as Tzain, Damson Idris as Prince Inan, and Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari. The announcement has sparked heated debate online, particularly regarding Amandla Stenberg’s casting as Amari.
The novel, inspired by West African mythology, tells the story of Zélie Adebola’s quest to restore magic to the African kingdom of Orïsha, a fictionalized version of Nigeria. A key part of the story involves Amari, a dark-skinned princess who faces intense colorism, including harsh criticism from her mother, Queen Nehanda, who pressures her to lighten her skin tone. Fans were expecting a dark-skinned actor to portray Amari, given her pivotal storyline and the themes it explores.
Amandla, a light-skinned, biracial actor, was cast in the role, leading to backlash from fans who felt her casting undermines the novel’s portrayal of colorism. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) were flooded with critical comments. One user wrote, “Amari’s dark skin and her struggle with colorism were central to her character. Casting a light-skinned actor feels like erasure.” Another commented, “What was the point of an open casting call if Nigerian actors are overlooked for such culturally specific roles?”
Tomi Adeyemi had previously emphasized the importance of casting Nigerian actors to honor the story’s cultural roots. In a casting announcement last year, Adeyemi said, “We’re especially looking for Nigerians to submit because this book is based on Nigerian spirituality and mythology.” Despite these efforts, fans were disappointed with the choice of Amandla, questioning whether the casting team considered the character’s dark-skinned identity in their decision.
Critics have also pointed to Amandla’s own statements about taking on roles. In 2018, Amandla revealed they turned down a role in Black Panther because they felt it wasn’t appropriate for them as a biracial American. “These are all dark-skinned actors playing Africans, and I felt it would have been off for me to try to fit into that space,” they said at the time. Fans now accuse Amandla of contradicting those principles by accepting the role of Amari.
The controversy has reignited broader conversations about colorism in Hollywood and the limited opportunities for dark-skinned actors. Many believe the industry frequently sidelines darker-skinned performers in favor of lighter-skinned or biracial actors for roles meant to represent darker-skinned characters. “This isn’t just about one movie. It’s about systemic exclusion,” a user wrote.
Amandla has yet to respond to the backlash, and Tomi Adeyemi has assured fans that more updates on Nigerian castings will be shared soon. However, the debate highlights ongoing issues of representation and authenticity in Hollywood, especially when it comes to stories deeply rooted in cultural identity.
The film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone aims to bring a beloved novel to life, but its journey to the big screen has already stirred intense conversations about casting choices and cultural respect. As fans await more updates, the controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring the nuances of representation in storytelling.
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