#LeahIsOurAnnabeth: Rick Riordan Shuts Down Racist Backlash of Leah Jeffries's Casting in 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'

Rick Riordan has commented on the foolish backlash surrounding the casting of Disney+'s upcoming series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Recently, the casting of the core members of the upcoming series Percy Jackson and the Olympians was announced. Walker Scobell will take on the title role of Percy Jackson, Aryan Simhadri will play Grover, and Leah Jeffries will take on the role of Annabeth.

Unfortunately, after the casting was announced, there has been some racist backlash against the casting of Jeffries in the role, as she does not look the way the character was described in the book. Book Annabeth is described as a blonde with silvery eyes, Leah Jeffries is a young Black girl who does not possess those features.

Jeffries herself has taken to social media, telling the haters to back off and that, despite their best efforts, they will not hurt her. (For those who were fans of the books, can you even IMAGINE a more Annabeth-style move? She is perfect for this role: no questions asked.)

Furthermore, she coupled this shutting down of the haters with sharing love for her supporters.

Did we mention that she's only 12? She is an icon already.

While Jeffries can clearly defend herself, the author of the series refuses to let her fight this battle alone. Riordan spoke out against the nonsensical hate that the casting of this young and talented performer has been met with.

"This post is specifically for those who have a problem with the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase...It's a shame such posts need to be written, but they do...Leah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeth's strength. She will be a role model for new generations of girls who will see in her the kind of hero they want to be."

The author is making sure that any of the senseless criticism of this casting goes nowhere but to him. Many people have taken their criticism to Jeffries, who is a twelve year old child. The author, however, is firmly committed to protecting his cast.

"If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me. You have no one else to blame. Whatever else you take from this post, we should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong. As strong as Leah is, as much as we have discussed the potential for this kind of reaction and the intense pressure this role will bring, the negative comments she has received online are out of line. They need to stop. Now."

He then goes on to DIRECTLY call out the people who are weakly making claims that they are, "not racist," when making these casting criticism. He intellegently points out:

"Let's examine that statement. You are upset/disappointed/frustrated/angry because a Black actor has been cast to play a character who was described as white in the books...You are judging her appropriateness for this role solely and exclusively on how she looks. She is a Black girl playing someone who was described in the books as white. Friends, that is racism."

While the criticism which has spurred the need for a defense is idotically senseless, it is pwoerful to see Riordan stick up for his cast this way. He weilds his full power as the author of the series to stand between the hateful comments and the show's new, sure to be exceptional, Annabeth.

"You refuse to believe me, the guy who wrote the books and created these characters, when I say that these actors are perfect for the roles because of the talent they bring and the way they used their auditions to expand, improve and electrify the lines they were given...Once you see Leah as Annabeth, she will become exactly the way you imagine Annabeth, assuming you give her that chance, but you refuse to credit that this may be true."

Leah is our Annabeth. End of conversation.

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Rick Riordan