13 Reasons Why's Grace Saif deletes Instagram after backlash over character Ani
27 August 2019, 14:27
Monty actor Timothy Granaderos took to Instagram to support actress Grace Saif after fans send "some pretty nasty things" following dislike over her character.
13 Reasons Why introduced viewers to a number of new characters this season, including Winston Williams, Charlie St. George and the apparently controversial (!?) Ani Achola.
Grace Saif joined the cast for season 3 as Ani, a new student at Liberty High who arrives in town with her mother, a carer brought in to look after Bryce Walker's ailing grandfather.
Ani also acts as the season's new narrator in place of Hannah Baker. She also contributes a lil' bit to Bryce Walker's controversial "redemption arc" and stays smack bang in the middle of the storyline for the whole season. She's literally everywhere and in everyone's business.
READ MORE: 13 Reasons Why season 4: Release date, cast, spoilers, theories and trailer
After a few days, it became very clear on social media that fans really aren't loving the character (honestly, she's not that bad) but unfortunately, the backlash seems to have spilled over and people are now hounding the actress, resulting in her leaving social media.
Prior to the release of 13 Reasons Why, Grace's social accounts were private. When the season dropped, they went public but now, following a lot of negative tweets directed at her about her character, she has deleted the pictures from her Instagram (her account is still live) and her Twitter account is locked.
Co-star Timothy Granaderos took to Instagram to address the hate comments with a photo of Grace and a caption that reads: "Hey Y’all, just a reminder. Whether or not you support, like, or love, a character in our fictional tv show—please remember that there is a talented and beautiful actor/actress bringing those scripted words to life."
"One of the underlining themes in our show is to take care of each other. I’ve seen some pretty nasty things being said online, concerning the introduction of a new character. Y’all are passionate & we love you for that, but PLEASE PLEASE try to be kind and respect the work of the talented actress/actor behind the character."
Timothy, who plays Monty de la Cruz on the show, also had to deal with his fair share of hate comments shortly after season 2. He has also recently turned his comments off on Instagram.
Fans are flocking to social media to send their support to Grace and call out the people who have been @-ing her on social media with negative comments.
In all seriousness @gracesaif who plays ani In #13ReasonsWhy does NOT deserve hate just because of the character she plays, yeah I don’t like the character either but it’s called acting, same with Justin (Bryce), he got shit because he played a rapist..yet he is super nice.
— jessica rose (@jess_rosee22) August 25, 2019
Nah people are so toxic, bullying Grace saif till she has to delete her insta and Twitter. The same ones shouting that 13 reasons why is bad for people mental well-being are the ones attacking her! ITS FUCKING ACTING oh my God.
— Anita x (@Anitaxo_) August 26, 2019
Some people are so fucked it’s so sad Grace Saif who plays Ani on TRW had to delete all her pics bc of the hate comments she was getting. Yall need to realise she is just playing a character 🤦🏻♀️
— 𝔅𝔢𝔠 🐆 (@sassyprada) August 26, 2019
y’all really made grace saif delete her photos and profile picture off of instagram cs y’all were hating on the comments ... that actually pains my heart omg she doesn’t deserve none of that #13reasonswhys3
— 𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐝𝐞𝐧 (@haydenxiv) August 26, 2019
How many times do we have to say it? The character, written by the show's writing staff, is NOT the actor. Sending hate to an actor because you simply don't like their character is unacceptable.
Expressing your dislike over Ani is fine, but directing that energy at Grace, who had absolutely nothing to do with the way the character was written, is not ok.
