#Celebrity
What You Need to Know as Leslie Jones Battles the Darkest Side of Social Media
by Hannah Marsh
Leslie Jones has recently faced her share of cyberbullies. Celebrities and fans are stepping in to show their support.
After a week debuting her title of Team USA’s most excited fan in Rio during last week’s Olympic Games, Leslie Jones came home to what Ghostbusters director Paul Feig described on Twitter as, “an absolute outrage.”
For the second time this summer, the Ghostbusters and Saturday Night Live star is facing hateful attacks via social media.
Jones’ Tumblr page, JustLeslie.com, was shut down after hackers posted copies of her passport, driver’s license, nude photos taken from her cellphone, and racial images of the gorilla Harambe on the website. This dose of hatred comes shortly after Jones’ battle with Twitter trolls earlier this summer, in which the bullies — a term that seems tame here — had no shortage of racist and sexist comments in response to the release of the Ghostbusters reboot.
However, with as much animosity as the comedian has combatted as of late, the outpouring of love and support from fans and the far reaches of Hollywood (try searching #StandWithLeslie) give us hope that there is still good amid the repugnance of these nameless tormentors.
From our favorite talk show hosts:
.@Lesdoggg you are beautiful & talented & bring laughter into a world that desperately needs it. You are also my friend & I support you.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 25, 2016
Comedians:
Of course I support @LesDoggg If ur a woman in #comedy, trust me, all you want to do is make people laugh, not this BS #equality
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) August 24, 2016
May many (more) bad things befall the cowards who've attacked my friend, @Lesdoggg. They are the worst of humanity, where she is the best.
— Taran Killam (@TaranKillam) August 24, 2016
Actresses and actors:
Let's turn our anger at trolls into love for Leslie Jones and into strategies to protect all the heroines who don't deserve this bullshit
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) August 24, 2016
leslie jones doing things she loves and worked hard for. these are the pictures we should be sharing #LoveForLeslieJ pic.twitter.com/Lxz2ahSl4g
— amy (@G4YMY) August 24, 2016
I truly don't know why people are so hateful towards @Lesdoggg. Why? She's talented and wonderful. Why are people so pressed to be awful?
— Gabby Sidibe (@GabbySidibe) August 24, 2016
And singers:
Do not give your eyeballs to this racist, hate-filled, misogynoir crime. I #StandWithLeslie ❤️
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) August 24, 2016
.@Lesdoggg only someone with tremendous strength can endure being put in a position to evoke positive change and you are superhero powerful.
— Michael Chiklis (@MichaelChiklis) August 25, 2016
Jones can find solace in the knowledge that she does not have to face the aftermath of these disgusting acts alone. And in case we haven’t made it clear yet, we #StandWithLeslie.