BD Wong Responds After Backlash Over Social Media Remark

BD Wong, the Tony Award-winning actor known for his roles in Mr Robot and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has found himself at the centre of controversy after a comment he posted on social media drew widespread criticism. The incident began when Mike Holston, also known as ‘The Real Tarzan’, shared a photograph featuring himself with a large animal draped over his shoulders, accompanied by the caption, “Name this animal… wrong answers only.”

Wong responded in the comments with a remark that many found offensive, writing,

“It appears to be a Black man.”

The comment quickly attracted backlash, prompting Wong to remove it. However, the damage had already been done, and the response from the public was swift and critical.

Public Apology and Attempted Clarification

In the wake of the negative reaction, Wong addressed the situation on Threads, offering an apology for his words. He wrote,

“Y’all I made a very bad joke. As most people in hot water do, I deleted it for Damage Control but it’s out there & continues to hurt & disappoint & I’m really sorry about the hurt part.”

He went on to explain his thought process, stating,

“Super dumb, but I tried to follow the ‘Wrong Answers Only’ prompt with the wrongest answer.”

Wong acknowledged that his attempt at humour had failed, adding,

“This succeeded only in that it was Super Wrong. I know nobody gets a free pass. I’m sorry if this #wtfbd moment tarnished any respect you may’ve had for me. & thanks if you advocate for an internet that’s safe for everybody.”

Further Reflections and Acceptance of Responsibility

Several hours later, Wong returned to Threads to further address the situation. He expressed a deeper understanding of the impact of his words, writing,

“I want to elaborate on a racist comment I posted, to clarify that I recognise & accept the responsibility for how terrible it is. It’s also wrong to try to ‘explain’ anything, & I think that causes a further breaking down in folks’ trust.”

He concluded his second statement by saying,

“Let me please spend the energy on how wrong I know it is to exploit a despicable, racist trope in the supposed spirit of humour; I do know better, but again no excuses. Very sorry for the hurt I’ve caused & for taking lightly something so deeply injurious.”

Ongoing Reactions

Since issuing his apologies earlier in the week, Wong has not posted further on Threads. The incident has sparked discussion about the responsibilities of public figures online and the consequences of ill-judged attempts at humour. Many have weighed in on the importance of accountability and the need for a more considerate approach to online interactions.