‘Harry Potter’ Star Katie Leung Opens Up About Racist Backlash Over Role as Cho Chang

Katie Leung, best known for playing Cho Chang in the “Harry Potter” films, has opened up about the racist backlash she faced after being cast in the role. In a new interview with The Guardian, Leung said the experience had a lasting impact on her personality.

“It was overwhelming from the get-go,” she recalled, reflecting on the sudden fame that came with joining the franchise in 2007’s Order of the Phoenix. She admitted that the online abuse made her more self-conscious and possibly less outgoing. “Being in the spotlight from that age, when you’re already insecure, was difficult, to say the least,” Leung said.

Leung explained that her character, Cho Chang, was Harry Potter’s first love and appeared in several films, including Half-Blood Prince and both parts of Deathly Hallows. Curious about fan reactions, Leung said she often searched online to see what people were saying about her. Unfortunately, much of the feedback was racist.

“I was very self-aware of what was coming out of my mouth. And for the longest time, I may have tried to make up for it, and overcompensate,” she said.

Earlier, Leung revealed on the Chinese Chippy Girl podcast that her publicists had instructed her to deny the online abuse if asked in interviews. “I just nodded my head. I was like, ‘Okay, okay,’ even though I had seen it myself with my own eyes,” she said, acknowledging how she had to hide the truth at the time.

Despite the challenges, Leung has continued her acting career and is now joining another major series. She will play Lady Araminta Gun in the upcoming fourth season of Netflix’s Bridgerton. Reflecting on her current mindset, Leung said her approach to acting has changed. “I still care about the craft [of acting], I still want to do well, but I can park it once I’m done for the day and go home and live this other life,” she explained.

Acting is now more of a job for her rather than the central focus of her life, as it was when she was younger.

Leung’s experience highlights the pressures young actors face, especially when dealing with fame and online harassment. The racist backlash she endured shows how fan culture can have a serious personal impact, particularly on actors of color.

It’s clear that Leung has grown stronger and more confident since her early days in the “Harry Potter” spotlight. What do you think about the online abuse she faced? Do you believe social media companies should do more to protect young actors? Share your thoughts in the comments.