Posted 5 hours ago

  Constance Wu has returned to social media for the first time in three years to address the backlash sparked by her controversial Fresh off the boat tweet and revealed how difficult that time was for her.

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  If you missed it, the Crazy rich Asians The actress shared a series of posts in 2019 expressing her displeasure with the revival of the hit ABC sitcom, in which she played lead character Jessica Huang.

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  The show, which had been renewed for its sixth and final season, centered on a Taiwanese family who had immigrated to the US.  It was extremely popular among viewers, even scoring an impressive 94% average rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

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  However, Constance was clearly devastated by the news of her renewal for Season 6, sparking backlash as she tweeted: ‘So upset right now I’m literally crying.  Ugh.  Damn’ and ‘Fucking hell’.


  When a fan congratulated Constance on renewing her show and noted it was “great news,” the actor replied, “No it’s not,” before continuing to comment “dislike” under the official Fresh off the boatInstagram post about it.

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  After Constance’s tweets attracted tons of negative attention online, she defended her words saying fans were “making a lot of assumptions” about what she was saying.

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  “That wasn’t anger, it was just the way I usually spoke.  I say fuck a lot.  I love the word.  You are making a lot of assumptions about what I was saying.  And no, it’s not about that.  No it isn’t.. what is it about.  Stop assuming,” he wrote.

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  She later appeared to backtrack on her comments as she admitted she had been “turned off” by the news of the show’s renewal.

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  “Today’s tweets were on the heels of a difficult day and were not timed well with the news of the show.  You know, I’m so grateful for that FOTB renewal.  I love the cast and crew.  I am proud to be a part of it.  For the support of all the fans, thank you and for everyone who supports the occasional use of the word fuck-thank u,” he tweeted.


  The following day, Constance released an official statement apologizing for her angry comments, explaining that she was “temporarily upset” because Fresh Off the Boat’s The renewal meant she “had to give up another project” she was passionate about.

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  “I love FOTB,” she wrote.  “I was temporarily upset yesterday not e.g.  I hate the show, but renewing it meant I had to give up another project I was very passionate about.  So my frustrated responses on social media were more about that other project and not about FOTB.”

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  And the actress went on to wipe all traces of her social media activity before going silent online for the next three years.


  But now, Constance has returned to social media with a blunt statement posted on June 14, in which she admitted she was “scared” about re-emerging on online platforms.

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  “I haven’t been on social media in almost 3 years,” he began.  “Tbh, I’m a little scared, but I’m dipping my toe back to say I’m here and while I was away I wrote a book called Making a sceneshe wrote, referring to her book of personal memoirs to be released in October.

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  He went on to recall the “severe” backlash and “internet shaming” he faced after it Fresh off the boat comments, Constance revealed that she had attempted suicide as a result of the outrage.

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  “This next part is hard to talk about…but I was afraid to go back on social media because I almost lost my life from it,” she wrote.  “3 years ago when I carelessly tweeted about the renewal of my TV show, it caused quite a bit of internet outrage and shame.”


  “I felt terrible about what I had said, and when a few DMs from a fellow Asian actress told me I was going to be a scourge on the Asian American community, I started to feel like I didn’t even deserve to live anymore.  That I was a disgrace to AsAms and they would be better off without me,” the actor revealed.

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  “Looking back, it’s surreal that a few DMs convinced me to end my life, but it happened.  Luckily, a friend found me and drove me to the ER,” she added.

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  Constance noted that it ultimately prompted her to “reevaluate a lot” in her life, which encouraged her to work to promote and destigmatize conversations around mental health in the Asian American community.

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  “For the next few years, I put my career aside to focus on my mental health,” she wrote.  “AsAms don’t talk enough about mental health.  While we rush to celebrate representation victories, there is a lot of avoidance around the most uncomfortable issues in our community.”

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  “Even my tweets became such a touchy subject that most of my colleagues at AsAm decided that it was time to avoid me or freeze me,” he continued.  “I’ll admit it hurt a lot, but it also made me realize how important it is to reach out and care for people who are going through difficult times.”

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  Constance said she wrote Making a scene to “help people talk about uncomfortable things” and “pave pathways for healing.”

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  “If we want to be seen, Really we saw… we have to let it go all to see ourselves, including the parts we fear or are ashamed of, the parts that, however imperfect, require care and attention,” she wrote.  “And we need to stop beating each other (and ourselves) up when we do.  So while my book is not always the most flattering portrayal, it is as honest as I know how to be.  Because the truth is, I’m not ready or cute or perfect.  I’m emotional.  I make mistakes… a lot!”

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  Constance ended her statement by noting that she feels “pretty okay” to return to social media after her multi-year hiatus and “a lot of therapy.”


  “After a short break from Hollywood and a lot of treatment I feel well enough to venture back here (at least for a while),” he wrote.  “And even though I’m scared, I decided it was up to me 3 years ago to be brave and share my story to help someone with theirs.”

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  “If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text ‘STRENGTH’ to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741,” the actor said.  a link to his website.  (This now redirects users to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will direct US callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.)

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to 07:16 pm – July 14, 2022 Twitter: @ConstanceWu

  And in the hours since her statement was shared, Constance has been inundated with words of support from followers and fellow actors online.
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