We’re aware that the road to Hollywood fame is not easy, but add on social media and the journey to the starry lights and accolades becomes a whole other layered beast.
Unfortunately, at a time that would appear to be the height of her success, Saturday Night Live comedian and co-star of the Ghostbusters‘ all-female reboot, Leslie Jones is seeing the ugly side of the limelight.
While Jones has faced her fair share of critics, the most recent attacks on social media proved racism and sexism are still far too prevalent in our society. So much so, the actress has classified her experience as being a “personal hell.”
I feel like I’m in a personal hell. I didn’t do anything to deserve this. It’s just too much. It shouldn’t be like this. So hurt right now.
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016
After Ghostbusters won big at the box office, the star began receiving a wave of disturbing and extremely offensive tweets. Among the unnerving rhetoric were names such as “ape” and a “savage”–two slurs often hurled at Black people.
Reported pic.twitter.com/EbctaTp5ze
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 18, 2016
Leslie’s supporters quickly jumped to her defense, encouraging her to stay strong and keep shining.
@Lesdoggg queen, wishing you well. Go through your process and hopefully you find peace. Don’t let them stop you! ❤️
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) July 19, 2016
After being repeatedly attacked, Jones called on the social network to do something to stop the hate.
“Twitter, I understand you got free speech I get it. But there has to be some guidelines when you let [hate] spread like that. You can see on the profiles that some of these people are crazy sick,” Leslie tweeted. “It’s not enough to freeze accounts. They should be reported.”
Twitter I understand you got free speech I get it. But there has to be some guidelines when you let spread like that. You can see on the
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016
Profiles that some of these people are crazy sick. It’s not enough to freeze Acct. They should be reported.
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016
In order to protect her sanity, Jones decided to leave the social network; but we hope it’s not forever.
I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart.All this cause I did a movie.You can hate the movie but the shit I got today…wrong
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016
Keep your head up, LessDogg. Beat them with your spirit and talent. We’re still here rooting for you.