BD Wong Responds After Backlash Over Social Media Remark

BD Wong, known for his roles in Mr Robot and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has found himself in hot water after a comment he made online drew sharp criticism. The Tony Award-winning actor left a remark on a post by Mike Holston, also known as ‘The Real Tarzan’, which many found offensive. Holston, who is Black, had shared a photo of himself with a large animal draped over his shoulders, captioned, “Name this animal… wrong answers only.” Wong replied in the comments,

“It appears to be a Black man.”

The comment quickly sparked backlash from followers and the wider online community.

After deleting the comment, Wong took to Threads to address the situation. He admitted his attempt at humour had badly missed the mark, writing,

“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 thinking behind the comment, saying,

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

Wong acknowledged that his response was not just misguided, but completely inappropriate, 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 Clarification and Responsibility

Several hours later, Wong posted again on Threads, this time offering a more detailed reflection on his actions. He stated,

“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 admitted that trying to justify the comment only made things worse, and that he understood the damage caused by his words.

Wong’s second apology was more direct, as he wrote,

“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.”

He made it clear that he accepted full responsibility for the impact of his actions, and that he regretted making light of such a serious issue.

Public Reaction and Aftermath

Since issuing his apologies, Wong has not posted again on Threads. The incident has prompted discussion among fans and the broader public about accountability and the consequences of online behaviour. Many have weighed in on the importance of recognising the harm that can come from even offhand remarks, especially from public figures.

Wong’s responses have been met with a mix of criticism and support, with some appreciating his willingness to own up to his mistake, while others remain disappointed. The situation serves as a reminder of the scrutiny that comes with a public platform, and the need for care in how humour is used online.