Alexandra Daddario isn’t having it with the negative press surrounding the new Percy Jackson and the Olympians series’ cast.
Source: Future Publishing / Future Publishing via Getty Images
Should you be missed the information, the cast of the upcoming Disney+ show was revealed last week, and fans were ecstatic.
Source: Penguin Book
Sadly, not everyone was happy with the casting selections, especially Annabeth Chase, played by Leah Jeffries.
Welcome home demigods ⚡ Meet Annabeth, Percy, and Grover. Get ready for #PercyJackson and The Olympians coming to @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/l6mhR20WCw
— Percy Jackson (@PercySeries) May 5, 2022
Several social media users voiced upset because Leah, who is Black, had a different skin tone than Annabeth in the books. Trolls on the internet even got her account suspended from TikTok.
Certain social media users expressed outrage because Leah — who is Black — is of a different skin tone than how Annabeth was written in the books. Online trolls even got her banned from TikTok.
Source: Aaron J. Thornton / Getty Images
Despite the backlash, Alexandra wanted to ensure Leah was fully backed up in picking up the role she played in the original films.
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
Alexandra, who played Annabeth in the first two films, sent a kind note to the young actress via Twitter.
Source: Murray Close/TM and Copyright/©20th Century Fox. All rights reserved./Courtesy Everett Collection
“Leah Jeffries is going to be an incredible Annabeth!!!” Alexandra wrote, and a lot of fans responded with encouragement.
Leah Jeffries is going to be an incredible Annabeth!!!
— Alexandra Daddario (@AADaddario) May 10, 2022
Alexandra isn’t the only Percy Jackson family member who approves of Leah’s performance; author Rick Riordan is equally enthusiastic.
View this post on Instagram
Indeed, he defended Leah’s casting on his website, calling her “a role model for new generations of girls who will see in her the kind of hero they want to be.”
View this post on Instagram
