Letitia Wright: Black Panther star criticised for sharing anti-vaccination Covid video
Letita Wright photographed in October 2020
(Getty Images for BFI)Actor Letitia Wright has faced criticism from followers after sharing an anti-vaccination video on her Twitter account.
The video disputed the safety and effectiveness of a potential Covid-19 vaccine, as well as the safety of vaccines in general.
Wright is best known for playing T’Challa’s sister Shuri in Black Panther and the Avengers films, and for her Emmy-winning role in an episode of Black Mirror.
The video she shared was an episode from a YouTube series called On the Table in which a panel discuss the topic of vaccination. At one point, presenter Tomi Arayomi says: “I don’t understand vaccines medically, but I’ve always been a little bit of a skeptic of them.”
The British actor, who can currently been seen in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series for the BBC, posted a link to the video alongside a “praying hands” emoji.
if you don’t conform to popular opinions. but ask questions and think for yourself....you get cancelled 😂
— Letitia Wright (@letitiawright) December 4, 2020
totally respect what you are saying here. I’ve also heard from medically qualified doctors who got their articles and videos taken down. Am I still wrong to question whats going on?
— Letitia Wright (@letitiawright) December 4, 2020
When she was criticised for the post by fans, Wright asserted that it was “valid” to “simply ask what’s in [a vaccine]”.
“If you don’t conform to popular opinions. but ask questions and think for yourself....you get cancelled,” she wrote shortly after.
“‘Popular opinions,’ you mean scientific evidence?” wrote one reply.
“No, please not you, if you're not a professional please do not spread wrong info, as an actress you have a bigger platform that should be used with responsibility and respect,” wrote another. “If you don't want to take the vaccine don't do it, but do not spread this info to people.”
The Independent has contacted Wright’s representatives for comment.
