Kian Lawley is feeling the repercussions of some bad decisions in his youth.
The Youtuber-turned-actor finished filming a role in the highly anticipated movie adaptation of The Hate U Give last year, but his work in the film will be hitting the cutting room floor. A few weeks ago, an old video clip of Lawley making racist remarks and jokes surfaced online. It has since been removed but the damage has already been done. Because of these remarks and the message of The Hate U Give, Fox has announced they have fired Lawley and will cut him from the film.
“Due to the controversy surrounding his past comments and behavior, Kian Lawley will no longer appear in The Hate U Give. The studio plans to recast the role of Chris and reshoot scenes as needed,” a studio rep said Monday in a statement via THR.
Lawley originally starred as “Chris,” the boyfriend of Amandla Stenberg’s “Starr” in the upcoming film. The Hate U Give is based on the best selling book of the same name and tells the story of Starr Carter, who is caught between two worlds. She comes from a poor, mostly black, neighborhood where she lives but attends a prep school full of rich, mostly white kids. She is caught in the middle when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. The film also stars Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Issa Rae, Sabrina Carpenter, Algee Smith, Lamar Johnson and Common.
Kian Lawley owned up to his past mistakes taking to Twitter to say, “If u don’t learn from ur mistakes, u can never grow as a person. I’ve learned a lot & i am grateful to have the power to change. I never want to be who i was yesterday. we’re in a constant battle to become a better version of ourselves, use ur voice as ur weapon.”
if u don’t learn from ur mistakes, u can never grow as a person.
i’ve learned a lot & i am grateful to have the power to change. i never want to be who i was yesterday. we’re in a constant battle to become a better version of ourselves, use ur voice as ur weapon.
— Kian Lawley (@KianLawley) February 4, 2018
He took to Twitter again on Tuesday afternoon to issue another apology and agreeing with Fox’s decision to cut him from the film. “First of all, I am deeply sorry to those that were effected by my choice of language. I understand that I am in the public eye & have many supporters, but none of my actions that took place should be supported. Words have power and can do a lot damage. I own mine and I am sorry.”
First of all, I am deeply sorry to those that were effected by my choice of language. I understand that I am in the public eye & have many supporters, but none of my actions that took place should be supported. Words have power and can do a lot damage. I own mine and I am sorry.
— Kian Lawley (@KianLawley) February 6, 2018
I respect Fox’s decision to recast this role for The Hate U Give as it is an important story, and it would not be appropriate for me to be involved considering the actions of my past. I understand the impact and I have grown a lot and learned since then.
— Kian Lawley (@KianLawley) February 6, 2018
With that being said, I am fully aware of the mistakes I have made and strive every day to become a better me than I was yesterday. We all have a voice, whether it’s big or small, we need to use it to spread love & light. From now on, I plan to use my voice for positive change.
— Kian Lawley (@KianLawley) February 6, 2018
The Hate U Give wrapped filming in November 2017 but currently has no release date.
