Daisy Ridley responded to negative comments made about her body after an Instagram user posted a meme about the star accusing her of setting “unrealistic expectations” for young girls by appearing too thin in J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
“I can’t believe the unrealistic expectations I’m setting for young girls. Who cast me anyway? Don’t they know real women have curves?” wrote a user over a photo of Ridley as Rey.
The actress reposted and replied to the post by writing: “Real women are all shapes and sizes, all ethnicities, all levels of brave, have families, don’t have families. I’m a ‘real woman’ like every other women in this world.”
Fans of the Star Wars star immediately responded to the message by posting negative comments on the body shamer’s Instagram. Ridley deleted her post and later published a second statement on Instagram calling out for kindness.
“Guys it was not my intention for anyone to send messages to that poor person that posted the original picture,” she wrote. “My whole post is about being kind to each other, so please refrain!”
In her post, the actress firmly defended her body and Star Wars character. “I’m just a normal girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances, just like Rey,” she commented. “I will not apologize for how I look, what I say and how I live my life cause what’s happening inside is much more important anyway and I am striving to be the best version of myself, even if I stumble along the way.”
Ridley ended her post by thanking fans for their unconditional support. “For all of you who celebrate each other, celebrate the ones your love, love yourselves, work hard, are kind, thank you for your continued support and the social media love.”
