7 Celebs Who Shut Down Racist Comments on Social Media

For celebrities, with a public platform comes a wide audience, not all of which is adoring. Social media opens stars up to a lot of opinions, criticism, and even abuse. Over the past several days, celebrities—along with people all over the world—have taken to their Instagram and Twitter accounts, supporting Black Lives Matter and denouncing police brutality. In speaking out on their social media accounts, several stars provoked negative reactions from users who disagreed with their posts. While some ignored the incendiary replies ("don't feed the trolls" is a popular strategy for a reason), others were quick to slam the most offensive ones. Keep reading for seven celebs who shut down racist comments on social media this week. And for more inspiring words, check out 20 Signs From Black Lives Matter Protests Everyone Should See.

Model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen has never been one to back down from some Twitter drama. In replying to a now-deleted tweet that took issue with her donating $100,000 to bail out funds for protestors, Teigen put (more) money where her mouth is. "Ooo they might need more money then," she responded. "Make it $200,000." And if you're looking for some reading material amid the current conversation, check out These Are the Books Everyone Is Buying Right Now.

Star Wars actor John Boyega has been speaking out about racism and injustice both online and in the streets. After posting about the murder of George Floyd, the actor tweeted that he "[hates] racists," which brought a deluge of rage into his mentions, demanding he delete or walk back his statement. (Note that there's some profanity in these linked posts.)

Instead, Boyega went on Instagram Live to repeat the sentiment and to add to it. He also responded to a tweet from a now-deleted account that threatened to "report" his comments to Disney, which owns Star Wars, saying, "I have parents, so no need to report to Disney." He said that the user's promise not to watch his films again "wouldn't change anything I said."

Earlier this week, Boyega gave an impassioned speech at a Black Lives Matter march in London. "I don't know if I'm going to have a career after this, but **** that," he said at one point, leading filmmakers like Jordan Peele and Olivia Wilde to tweet their support and desire to work with him.

Lucasfilm, the Disney subsidiary that produces Star Wars, also made a statement supporting Boyega: "Lucasfilm stands with John Boyega and his message that, 'Now is the time. Black lives have always mattered. Black lives have always been important. Black lives have always meant something.' The evil that is racism must stop. We will commit to being part of the change that is long overdue in the world. John Boyega, you are our hero."ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Comedian, actress, and host of the Netflix baking competition Nailed It! Nicole Byer was told by a follower that instead of educating their child about Black Lives Matter, they would "keep their head down" and just continue watching the popular show. In response, Byer put together a speech for any parents worried that their kids would be confused or traumatized by the conversation and posted it on her Instagram.

"You like this Black lady, right?" she began. "She's silly? She makes you tee hee hee? You would be sad if a police officer hurt her, right? Well, this is the current country we live in, where someone you like can be hurt by the color of their skin and people in charge aren't doing a ******* (you can replace that with dang if ya kids are soft) thing about it."

She goes on to discuss the legacy of protesting, why police brutality is systemic, and the lack of Black history taught in schools. "There, I did it. You can read it verbatim to your kids," Byer summed up. And for some socially educational films to watch right now, check out 13 Documentaries About Race You Need to See If You Haven't Yet.

Musician and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Ice-T has been challenging racist rhetoric and shutting down trolls on his Twitter for years. Not surprisingly, he's been more active than ever the past few days. He's not only responding to individual replies, but he's also summing up his mentions for his followers. "Before you say I'm not 'AMERICAN,' I'm a U.S. Army Veteran.. Do your homework," reads one tweet.

Another is directed toward people who are asking him for a magic solution to the unrest. "Answers? I may not have all the answers.. But DEFINITELY warned you about the problem.. For over 30 yrs," Ice-T wrote.

Pop music star P!nk first hit the charts in 2000 and was never afraid to speak her mind. Twenty years later, she's reminding critics of her political and social views that her stance on speaking out hasn't changed.

"If you didn't know I was about equality twenty years ago, forty years ago, that's your fault not mine," she tweeted to people telling her to stick to music. "You're surprised I stand up for what is right? Not my problem." She went on to say that she won't be sorry to lose any fans who choose not to listen to her music because of her support of Black Lives Matter or other beliefs. "DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU," P!nk concluded in her Twitter thread, followed by a peace sign emoji.

On his Instagram, actor, writer, and director Seth Rogen had no patience for racist replies to his Black Lives Matter post. The Long Shot and Superbad star kept it short and profane, refusing to debate anyone who criticized his position, instead shutting them down. And obviously, he wasn't concerned about alienating any of his audience. "You don't deserve my movies anymore," he wrote to one follower.

British actress Kate Beckinsale refused to allow a commenter to change the subject in her replies. She posted on Instagram demanding charges be brought against the officers involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed woman who was killed in her home in Louisville, Kentucky.

"OK, now do David Dorn," one commenter said, along with the hashtag #alllivesmatter. (Dorn was a retired St. Louis police captain killed while trying to protect a pawn shop from looters, per CNN.) Beckinsale called Dorn's death another "tragedy," but said that the commenter was "co-opting him with a slogan which offends."

"What's really sad is you being pushy on a post about a woman's death and saying 'what about someone else' actually does a disservice to the person you are trying to illuminate," she wrote.