After being accused of spreading anti-vaccination rhetoric on the set of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, star Letitia Wright has denied the allegations.
"It saddens me to have to address the reports published by The Hollywood Reporter on October 6th, 2021," Wright posted Wednesday on her Instagram page. "The report spoke about my conduct on the set of Black Panther 2. I honestly assert that this was completely untrue."
Wright has previously shared anti-vax views on her social media. The Oct. 6 article from The Hollywood Reporter states Wright "has espoused similar views about the COVID-19 vaccines on the Atlanta production [of the film]." The article also mentions Wright had severed ties with the agency representing her after posting a controversial anti-vax video in December 2020 on her now-deleted Twitter account.
"Anyone who knows me or has worked with me, knows that I work incredibly hard at my craft and my main focus is always to do work that’s impactful and inspiring," Wright continued. "That has been and will continue to be my only focus."
Wright has played the role of Shuri, Wakandan princess and her nation's leading scientist, and sister to her nation's king, T'Challa, in three Marvel Studios films, and will reprise her role in the upcoming Black Panther sequel.
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a disruptive force in Hollywood, even in the wake of the pandemic-induced lockdown. Vaccine mandates have been a highly divisive issue worldwide, and Hollywood is no exception. Disney, which owns Marvel Studios, has mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for all its employees, including those involved in the production of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and all the company's future films.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever opens in theaters on July 6, 2022.
Source: Instagram