Leah Jeffries Says ‘Percy Jackson’ Trolls Tried to ‘Tear Me Down,’ Said ‘You Can’t Play’ Annabeth Like Film Star Alexandra Daddario: ‘They’re Right. I’m Not Her…I Want to Be Myself’
variety.comZack Sharf Digital News Director “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” star Leah Jeffries recently spoke to Essence magazine about how her casting as Annabeth Chase in the new Disney+ series initially generated backlash from some toxic fans.
Racist trolls were upset that a Black actor was cast as a character described in the books as a blonde white girl. “The White Lotus” actor Alexandra Daddario played Annabeth in Fox’s “Percy Jackson” film adaptations.
In her response, Jeffries had no harsh retaliation and expressed no ill will towards such toxic fans. Instead, her answer might surprise people. “I listen to people say things and try to tear me down,” Jefferies said. “They say you are not her [Annabeth].
You can’t play her like Alexandra Daddario. But, you know what? They’re right. I’m not her, and I cannot play like her. But, I’m going to show you who I am, and how I’m going to play it.
Read more on variety.com