Foreign Actresses Who Don’t Deserve the Hate They Get

The entertainment industry often subjects women to intense scrutiny that extends far beyond their acting abilities. Foreign actresses frequently face a unique set of challenges that include xenophobia and cultural misunderstandings alongside standard misogyny. Audiences sometimes conflate an actress with her controversial character or criticize her for issues involving production decisions. The following individuals have endured disproportionate backlash despite their significant contributions to film and television.

Daisy Ridley

Daisy Ridley was thrust into the spotlight when she secured the lead role in the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy. A segment of the fanbase labeled her character a “Mary Sue” and directed their frustration at the actress personally. She eventually deleted her social media accounts to escape the relentless harassment and toxicity. Her performance required immense physical training and emotional range that was often overlooked by her detractors. Ridley bore the brunt of complaints regarding script choices that were entirely out of her control.

Sophie Turner

This British actress grew up in the public eye while playing Sansa Stark on ‘Game of Thrones’. Viewers frequently attacked her character for making frustrating decisions during the early seasons of the show. The hate bled into her personal life as tabloids scrutinized her marriage and subsequent divorce. Turner has been open about how these online comments negatively impacted her mental health during her formative years. Critics often failed to separate the teenage girl from the fictional character she portrayed.

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot achieved international fame for her portrayal of ‘Wonder Woman’ in the DC Extended Universe. She consistently faces criticism related to her mandatory service in the Israeli Defense Forces and her political views. Social media users frequently target her with aggressive comments whenever geopolitical tensions rise in her home region. Supporters argue that she is unfairly blamed for complex government policies she does not dictate. Her box office success proves she remains a popular figure despite the polarized online discourse.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra Jonas made a successful transition from Bollywood superstar to Hollywood leading lady. She has faced accusations of being a “global scammer” in reputable publications and endures criticism regarding her marriage. Her past endorsements of skin-lightening creams in India drew ire from Western audiences unaware of the cultural context. Chopra continues to advocate for diverse representation while navigating cultural expectations from two different worlds. The scrutiny she receives often focuses on her personal life rather than her acting credits.

Lashana Lynch

Lashana Lynch faced a torrent of racist and misogynistic abuse after being cast as the new 007 in ‘No Time to Die’. Traditionalist fans of the franchise were outraged that a Black woman would hold the codename previously associated with James Bond. She deleted her social media apps to protect her peace of mind during the promotional tour. Lynch delivered a grounded and capable performance that won over many skeptics upon the film’s release. The backlash highlighted the intense resistance to diversifying legacy franchises.

Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas received critical acclaim for her role in ‘Knives Out’ but faced a sharp turn in public opinion with ‘Blonde’. Viewers criticized her for retaining her natural Cuban accent while playing the American icon Marilyn Monroe. The backlash ignored her physical transformation and the emotional depth she brought to the psychological drama. Many complaints focused on the explicit nature of the film rather than her dedicated performance. She remains one of the most in-demand actresses despite the controversy surrounding that specific role.

Zhang Ziyi

Zhang Ziyi faced significant controversy in her home country of China after starring in ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. Chinese audiences were angered that a Chinese actress was cast to play a Japanese character during a time of historical tension. The backlash was severe enough that the film was banned from theatrical release in mainland China. Western audiences largely ignored the cultural insensitivity of the casting while praising her acting. She navigated this geopolitical minefield while delivering an award-nominated performance.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley became a target for media ridicule in the mid-2000s regarding her acting techniques and slender frame. Critics frequently mocked her for pouting or accused her of lacking emotional range in blockbuster films. The tabloids obsessed over her weight and sparked rumors of eating disorders that she vehemently denied. She has since proven her dramatic capabilities in period pieces like ‘The Imitation Game’ and ‘Pride & Prejudice’. The early criticism she faced was largely rooted in the sexism of the tabloid culture of that era.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown skyrocketed to fame as a child star on ‘Stranger Things’ and faced immediate scrutiny. The internet frequently criticizes her for dressing or acting in a way they deem too mature for her age. She has been the subject of fabricated memes and malicious hashtags that forced her to leave Twitter. Observers often forget she is a young woman growing up under a microscope with little room for error. Her business ventures and producing credits demonstrate an ambition that rubs some critics the wrong way.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh has faced derogatory comments regarding her body type and her fashion choices on the red carpet. She famously defended a sheer dress she wore to a fashion show after men left abusive comments about her appearance. Critics also took issue with the age gap in her previous relationship with Zach Braff. Pugh refuses to conform to Hollywood beauty standards and vocalizes her right to autonomy. Her talent in films like ‘Midsommar’ is undeniable regardless of the online noise.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne transitioned from modeling to acting and faced skepticism from those who viewed her as a beneficiary of nepotism. Her performance in ‘Suicide Squad’ was panned by critics who felt she was miscast as the Enchantress. Interviews that highlighted her dry British humor were sometimes misinterpreted as rude or awkward by American media. She has been open about her struggles with mental health and the pressures of the industry. The hate she receives often dismisses her genuine efforts to improve her craft.

Jameela Jamil

Jameela Jamil is a vocal activist who often faces backlash for her outspoken nature on social media. Critics have accused her of exaggerating health issues and labeled her stories as attention-seeking. She founded the “I Weigh” movement to combat toxic body image standards in the media. Her aggressive approach to calling out celebrities sometimes alienates potential allies. Despite the controversies, she utilizes her platform to highlight issues that others in Hollywood ignore.

Rebel Wilson

Rebel Wilson built her career on self-deprecating humor and physical comedy in films like ‘Pitch Perfect’. She faced a strange wave of backlash after embarking on a “Year of Health” and losing a significant amount of weight. Some fans felt betrayed that she abandoned the “fat funny girl” persona that made her famous. Critics scrutinized her motivations and the methods she used to achieve her transformation. Wilson proved that her comedic timing remains intact regardless of her physical size.

Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone faced life-threatening intimidation from fringe groups prior to the release of ‘Padmaavat’. Protesters put a bounty on her head because of rumors regarding a dream sequence that did not actually exist in the film. She also faced a boycott campaign after visiting a university to show solidarity with students attacked by a mob. Padukone has bravely spoken about her battle with depression to reduce the stigma in her country. The political attacks she endures are disproportionate to her work as an entertainer.

Mahira Khan

Mahira Khan faced severe backlash in Pakistan after photos surfaced of her smoking a cigarette with an Indian actor. The moral policing she experienced highlighted the double standards for women in conservative societies. She was also caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions that led to a ban on Pakistani artists working in Bollywood. Khan handled the scandals with grace and refused to let online trolls dictate her lifestyle. She remains one of the most successful and resilient figures in Pakistani entertainment.

Tang Wei

Tang Wei suffered a career-derailing ban in China following her role in Ang Lee’s ‘Lust, Caution’. The government blacklisted her from media appearances due to the film’s explicit sexual content and political themes. She was forced to leave the country and study abroad while her career was on hold. The punishment she received was far harsher than that of her male co-star or the director. She eventually made a successful comeback but lost prime years of her career to censorship.

Golshifteh Farahani

Golshifteh Farahani was effectively exiled from Iran after appearing in a Hollywood film without a hijab. Iranian authorities confiscated her passport and subjected her to intense interrogation. She later faced further backlash from conservatives for posing nude in a French magazine as a protest act. Farahani had to rebuild her career from scratch in Europe while being unable to return home. Her story is a testament to the severe consequences actresses face under oppressive regimes.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton faced accusations of whitewashing when she was cast as The Ancient One in ‘Doctor Strange’. The character was originally a Tibetan man in the comics which led to frustration from Asian advocacy groups. Swinton defended the casting as an attempt to avoid racial stereotypes associated with the “wise old Asian master” trope. The controversy was largely a production decision that she had to answer for publicly. She remains a highly respected artist known for her chameleon-like ability to dissolve into roles.

Gong Li

Gong Li faced criticism similar to Zhang Ziyi for her participation in ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. As a Singaporean actress of Chinese descent, her portrayal of a Japanese geisha was viewed as unpatriotic by some Chinese nationalists. Throughout her career she has also faced scrutiny for her changing citizenship. She is regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Asian cinema history despite these nationalistic critiques. Her collaborations with Zhang Yimou helped bring Chinese cinema to a global audience.

Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose was cast as Batwoman and immediately faced a wave of toxicity from comic book fans. Complaints ranged from her acting ability to assertions that she was not “lesbian enough” for the role despite being out. The pressure and an on-set injury contributed to her decision to leave the show after just one season. The harassment she received forced her to limit her social media presence significantly. The situation highlighted the gatekeeping that occurs within superhero fandoms.

Nathalie Emmanuel

Nathalie Emmanuel faced a shocking emotional response from fans following the death of her character Missandei in ‘Game of Thrones’. The controversy wasn’t directed at her acting but at the writers for killing the only prominent woman of color in chains. However, the heated discourse often dragged her into exhausting debates about representation. She has since had to work hard to establish herself outside of that iconic role. Emmanuel consistently advocates for better inclusivity in the British film industry.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet endured cruel scrutiny regarding her weight following the massive success of ‘Titanic’. Tabloids and comedians made jokes suggesting the ship sank because of her size. She has spoken retrospectively about how damaging this body shaming was to her confidence as a young actress. Winslet refused to conform to Hollywood’s extreme thinness standards and forged a path on her own terms. She is now celebrated for her naturalistic performances and refusal to retouch promotional photos.

Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke became the face of the divisive final season of ‘Game of Thrones’. Fans who were angry at Daenerys Targaryen’s villainous turn often projected their disappointment onto the actress. She navigated this professional hurdle while secretly recovering from two life-threatening brain aneurysms. Clarke maintained a positive public demeanor despite the physical pain and the fan backlash. She has since transitioned into romantic comedies and theater with considerable success.

Eiza González

Eiza González has faced criticism in both Mexico and Hollywood regarding her dating life and changing appearance. Tabloids frequently focus on her relationships with high-profile celebrities rather than her work in films like ‘Baby Driver’. She has expressed frustration at being typecast as the “hot brunette” in action movies. González works actively to secure roles that allow her to break away from stereotypes. The intense focus on her personal life often overshadows her professional ambition.

Diane Kruger

Diane Kruger faced harsh judgment when she was cast as Helen of Troy in the epic film ‘Troy’. Critics and audiences argued she was not beautiful enough to play the woman who launched a thousand ships. The superficial criticism ignored her solid performance in a massive production. She later proved her critics wrong by winning the Best Actress award at Cannes. Kruger successfully transitioned from being a target of looks-based criticism to a respected dramatic actress.

Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton has been vocal about the racism and sexual misconduct she experienced in the industry. Her honesty has sometimes led to her being labeled as “difficult” by industry insiders. She faced criticism for her role in ‘Crash’ which some viewers felt relied on heavy-handed racial stereotypes. Newton reclaimed the original spelling of her name after decades of it being Anglicized in credits. Her performance in ‘Westworld’ earned her critical acclaim and silenced many doubters.

Bella Ramsey

Bella Ramsey faced a barrage of superficial criticism after being cast as Ellie in ‘The Last of Us’. Gamers complained that she did not look enough like the digital character from the source material. She openly identifies as non-binary which also drew ire from conservative sections of the audience. Ramsey delivered a critically acclaimed performance that captured the spirit of the character perfectly. The initial hate proved to be entirely unfounded once the show aired.

Naomi Scott

Naomi Scott faced backlash when she was cast as Princess Jasmine in the live-action adaptation of ‘Aladdin’. Some critics argued that a woman of Indian and British descent should not play a Middle Eastern character. The “colorism” debate overshadowed the fact that the fictional city of Agrabah is a cultural amalgamation. Scott brought a modern strength to the character and performed her own songs. She navigated the complex discourse around representation with poise.

Han So-hee

Han So-hee faced a public scandal involving debts incurred by her mother which she had no part in creating. Netizens demanded she pay back the money despite her estrangement from her mother. She later faced backlash for a dating scandal that involved messy public exchanges on social media. Her acting in ‘The World of the Married’ was so convincing that people hated her purely for being a mistress on screen. She has had to apologize repeatedly for private matters that should not concern the public.

Claudia Kim

Claudia Kim was at the center of a racial controversy when she was cast as Nagini in ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’. Critics felt that casting an Asian woman as a submissive snake woman played into harmful stereotypes. The backlash was directed at the author and casting directors, but Kim had to field the difficult questions during press tours. She defended the role as an opportunity to show a different side of the character. The controversy unfortunately overshadowed her performance in a major franchise.

Karen Gillan

Karen Gillan faced immediate criticism when the first promotional photo for ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ was released. Viewers were angry about her skimpy outfit which seemed regressive compared to her male co-stars. Gillan had to repeatedly explain that the costume was a satire of 1990s video game tropes. The preemptive outrage ignored the context of the film which addressed the issue directly. She turned out to be a comedic highlight of the movie.

Faye Marsay

Faye Marsay played The Waif in ‘Game of Thrones’ and did such a convincing job that fans hated her. The harassment she received on social media was so severe that she quit Facebook completely. Fans could not separate the sadistic character from the actress doing her job. She spoke out about how terrifying it was to have people trying to contact her intimately. The situation served as a grim reminder of how toxic fandoms can become.

Carice van Houten

Carice van Houten received death threats for her portrayal of the red priestess Melisandre in ‘Game of Thrones’. Her character committed horrific acts including the burning of a child, which incited viewer rage. Van Houten noted that people would approach her in real life with genuine animosity. She provided a complex and eerie performance that was essential to the plot. The hate she received was a testament to her acting but crossed the line into personal abuse.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright faced a massive PR crisis after sharing a video questioning the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. The backlash threatened to derail the production of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. Fans called for her to be recast, and she eventually deactivated her social media accounts. The controversy overshadowed her assumption of the lead role in the Marvel franchise. She has since kept a lower profile while continuing her work in the series.

Léa Seydoux

Léa Seydoux faced scrutiny after the release of ‘Blue Is the Warmest Color’ due to the graphic nature of the sex scenes. She later spoke out about the difficult working conditions imposed by the director but faced pushback for complaining. Some critics also felt she was underwhelming as a Bond girl in ‘Spectre’. Seydoux has consistently worked in both French arthouse cinema and Hollywood blockbusters. Her ability to navigate different genres is often undervalued.

Olga Kurylenko

Olga Kurylenko was criticized when she was cast in ‘Quantum of Solace’ for being another model-turned-actress. Bond fans felt her character lacked the depth or chemistry required for the film. She has also faced typecasting in Hollywood as the “European action girl.” Kurylenko has worked steadily in various genres and proven her longevity in the industry. The initial dismissal of her talent was premature and based on stereotypes.

Alicia Vikander

Alicia Vikander won an Oscar but faced backlash when she took on the role of Lara Croft in ‘Tomb Raider’. Fans of the video game criticized her physique for not being muscular or curvaceous enough. The discourse focused almost entirely on her body rather than her athletic performance or acting. Vikander trained extensively to perform her own stunts for the role. The criticism reflected the gaming community’s often toxic standards for female characters.

Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard is an Oscar winner who became the subject of ridicule for her death scene in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. The awkward take used in the final cut became a viral meme that haunted her for years. She expressed frustration that the director chose that specific take when others were available. It was a single moment of editing that unfairly tarnished a stellar performance record. Cotillard remains one of the most respected French actresses in the world.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson grew up as Hermione Granger and has faced criticism for her transition into adult roles and activism. Some detractors label her feminism as “white feminism” or find her public persona too earnest. She received mixed reviews for her singing in the live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Watson often steps away from acting to focus on her education and UN work. The hate she gets usually stems from her refusal to play the typical Hollywood celebrity game.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is often cited as one of the most beautiful women in the world, a title that brings immense scrutiny. She faced brutal body shaming from Indian media after gaining weight following her pregnancy. Critics wrote open letters demanding she lose weight because she had a “duty” to her fans. She handled the criticism with silence and confidence, appearing on red carpets without hiding her body. The episode highlighted the unrealistic expectations placed on aging beauty queens.

Yalitza Aparicio

Yalitza Aparicio made history as the first Indigenous woman from the Americas to be nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. Following her debut in ‘Roma’, she faced racist comments from Mexican soap opera stars and social media users. Detractors claimed she was not an actress but simply playing herself. The elitism and racism within the Latin American entertainment industry became a major talking point. Aparicio has since used her platform to advocate for Indigenous rights.

Lena Headey

Lena Headey played Cersei Lannister so effectively that strangers would verbally abuse her on the street. She recounted instances where fans would refuse to sign books or snatch items from her hands at conventions. The hatred for her villainous character completely blurred the lines of reality for many viewers. In reality, Headey is a tattooed, comedic personality very different from the queen she played. She endured years of projected hate simply for doing her job too well.

Share your thoughts on which actress you think has been treated the most unfairly in the comments.