Constance Wu opens up about attempted suicide after Fresh Off the Boat Twitter backlash
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ actor took a three year break from social media, starting in 2019
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Your support makes all the difference.Constance Wu has returned to Twitter for the first time in three years to address her break from acting and announce the release of her new book Making A Scene.
In a lengthy post, the star of Hollywood films – including Crazy Rich Asians and Hustlers – shared that she attempted suicide following backlash she received over a 2019 tweet, in which she expressed frustration that her ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat had been renewed for another season.
Wu shared a post to social media on Thursday (13 July), which reads: “I was afraid of coming back on social media because I almost lost my life from it: three years ago, when I made careless tweets about the renewal of my TV show, it ignited outrage and internet shaming that got pretty severe.
“I felt awful about what I’d said, and when a few DMs from a fellow Asian actress told me I’d become a blight on the Asian American community, I started feeling like I didn’t even deserve to live anymore. That I was a disgrace to AsAms [Asian Americans], and they’d be better off without me.
“Looking back, it’s surreal that a few DMs convinced me to end my own life, but that’s what happened. Luckily, a friend found me and rushed me to the ER.”
She added that the response to the tweets caused her to “reassess” her life.
Wu continued: “AsAms don’t talk about mental health enough.”
“While we’re quick to celebrate representation wins, there’s a lot of avoidance around the more uncomfortable issues within our community,” she said. “Even my tweets became a subject so touchy that most of my AsAm colleagues decided that was the time to avoid me or ice me out.”
At the time, Wu later clarified her comments about the Fresh of the Boat renewal, stating that she was “proud” of the series.
Wu, who currently stars opposite Chris Pratt inThe Terminal List, concluded her post on Thursday stating that she feels “OK enough” to return to social media.
“After a little break from Hollywood and a lot of therapy I feel OK enough to venture back on here (at least for a little bit),” she said.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.