'Star Wars' actress Daisy Ridley under fire for denying she has 'privilege,' comparing herself to co-star John Boyega
Daisy Ridley has received criticism for comments she made about the role of privilege in her life.
In an interview with the Guardian, Ridley, who attended boarding school, denied that her upbringing had given her a leg up in the industry.
When asked if she’d found it “easier to be confident and navigate her celebrity because of the privilege in her life,” the 27-year-old actress responded, "The privilege I have — how? No, genuinely, how?"
The Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker star, who was raised in London’s affluent Maida Vale neighborhood, insisted her experiences were not too different from co-star and fellow Londoner John Boyega, who grew up in Peckham as the son of Nigerian immigrant parents.
"John grew up on a council estate in Peckham and I think me and him are similar enough that … no," she went on.
Ridley clarified that she went to a performing arts boarding school, which she described as "different." The newspaper reports that the actor's publicist also said she went to the school on a scholarship.
However, her comments were met with backlash as they were discussed on social media.
One Twitter user wrote: “Really can’t believe that Daisy Ridley had the audacity and nerve to compare her privately educated, rich, privileged life as a member of a family who’s part of the establishment as similar to Boyega’s experiences as someone who grew up in a deprived area to immigrant parents.”
one of the most appalling things abt this daisy ridley interview is that in her 4yrs of headlining one of the biggest franchises on earth, this is, so painfully evidently, the very first time anyone has truly invited her to critically confront & examine her own privilege.
— ham yoyo 🚀💫 (@scifibis) December 7, 2019
growing up privileged isn’t one’s fault but choosing not to acknowledge it is and daisy ridley shows it perfectly
— martina (@teethforamma) December 7, 2019
In the interview, Ridley claimed her confidence could be put down to coming from a "large, chatty family."
She isn't the first member of her family to step into showbusiness, as her great-uncle Arnold Ridley was an actor, playing Private Godfrey in British sitcom Dad's Army. Meanwhile, her grandfather, John Ridley was head of engineering at the BBC from 1950 to 1965. Both men received Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire honors (O.B.E.).
Boyega, who plays Finn in the sci-fi series, has previously spoken about having to apply for a hardship fund to join a local theater as a youngster as he pursued his interest in acting.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens Friday, Dec. 20. Tickets now on sale via Fandango.
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