Daisy Ridley Deletes Curt Response To Instagram Meme Claiming Her Character Rey In 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Was Too Thin
"I can't believe the unrealistic expectations I'm setting for young girls," reads a speech balloon caption above an image of Daisy Ridley appearing as Rey "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in an Internet meme making the rounds this week.
"Don't they know real women have curves?"
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Ridley shot back that body shaming can come in all sizes.
"'Real women' are all shapes and sizes, all ethnicities, all levels of brave," the "Star Wars" actress wrote.
"I am a 'real woman' like every other woman in this world."
Though Ridley's post has since been deleted, she followed it up the same day with a passionate message of female empowerment.
"What's weird is most of the time I see gorgeous messages from people around the world," she wrote.
"People who relate to something in Rey they haven't found in a female character before. People whose daughters now think they can do things without the aid of a man, but who wouldn't be ashamed to ask for help. People who loved that 'The Force Awakens' has multiple incredible female characters. It is much more hurtful to continue to slate other women than BE a woman, BE a character, BE whoever you want to be."
"I'm just a normal girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances, just like Rey. 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.
"For all of you who celebrate each other, celebrate the ones you love, love yourselves, work hard, are kind, thank you for your continued support and the social media love," she added.
"For anyone who has a problem with ANYONE in life, be them someone you know or someone you don't, remember that expression: if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Kindness isn't going to cure the world of all its awfulness, but it's a good place to begin."
Ridley also implored fans not to target the girl who originally posted the bodyshaming meme in a comment on her extended Instagram post.
"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!"
