Kelly Marie Tran, the actress known for her roles in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Raya and the Last Dragon, has become a prominent voice in discussions about identity, representation, and resilience in the face of online harassment. Her journey, marked by both professional milestones and personal challenges, offers a compelling narrative of self-discovery and advocacy.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Loan Tran on January 17, 1989, Kelly Marie Tran began her acting career in 2011. Her early work primarily consisted of roles in CollegeHumor videos and small TV appearances. To further her career, she landed a commercial agent in 2011, who encouraged her to take improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade.
Breakthrough Role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi
In 2015, Tran's career reached a turning point when she was cast as Rose Tico in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. This role was a historic moment, as she became the first woman of color to have a leading role in a Star Wars movie. The film's release, however, was followed by a barrage of online harassment directed at Tran.
Online Harassment and Its Impact
Following her appearance in The Last Jedi, Tran was subjected to intense online abuse, including racist and sexist comments about her ethnicity and appearance. The harassment became so severe that she removed her posts from Instagram in June. The abuse even extended to the character's "Wookieepedia" page, which was targeted with racist attacks.
Tran has spoken candidly about the impact of this harassment, admitting that she began to internalize the negative comments. In a powerful essay for The New York Times titled "Kelly Marie Tran: I Won't Be Marginalized by Online Harassment," she wrote that the attacks reinforced negative stereotypes she had faced throughout her life as a Vietnamese-American. She explained that she had reached a point where she began to believe the negative remarks about her, sending her "down a spiral of self-hate, into the darkest recesses of my mind, places where I tore myself apart, where I put their words above my own self-worth."
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Support and Condemnation
Tran received widespread support from co-stars, filmmakers, and fans who condemned the online abuse. Mark Hamill, John Boyega, and director Rian Johnson were among those who publicly defended Tran. Many fans rallied around Tran, denouncing the harassment and celebrating her role in the Star Wars universe.
Finding Strength and Resurfacing
Despite the trauma she experienced, Tran resolved not to be silenced or marginalized. In her New York Times essay, she declared, "I’m not giving up." She emphasized the importance of self-acceptance and rejecting the idea that her worth was dependent on others' opinions. She wrote, "I had been tricked into thinking that my body was not my own, that I was beautiful only if someone else believed it, regardless of my own opinion."
Focus on Mental Health and Self-Care
Tran has emphasized the importance of mental health and self-care in navigating the challenges she has faced. She has spoken about going to therapy to process the trauma of online harassment and rediscover her sense of self. She told The Hollywood Reporter that she learned in therapy, "If someone doesn't understand me or my experience, it shouldn't be my place to have to internalize their misogyny or racism or all of the above." She also shared that she takes time away from the internet to reconnect with herself and the real world: "Anytime that happens, I have to close up shop and go away for a while and really interact in the real world - read books and journal and go on hikes and look at a tree and remind myself that there was a fire that burned inside of me before Star Wars, before any of this."
Continued Career and New Projects
After Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Tran continued to pursue acting roles, including voicing Raya in Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon, replacing Cassie Steele. She was also cast in the Disney+ series Monsters at Work, but was later replaced by Mindy Kaling.
In recent years, Tran has taken on roles that reflect her commitment to exploring complex characters and themes. She starred in Control Freak, a horror film adapted from a short that was part of Hulu's Bite Size Halloween. Tran was also part of the ensemble cast of Andrew Ahn's remake of The Wedding Banquet, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
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Control Freak
Tran's role in Control Freak allowed her to delve deeper into the horror genre. She plays Val, a motivational speaker tormented by an unrelenting itch that turns out to be something much darker. Tran related to Val's fear of vulnerability and feeling the need to project an image of perfection. She collaborated closely with writer-director Shal Ngo to develop the character, drawing inspiration from motivational speakers and people with narcissistic tendencies.
The Wedding Banquet
In The Wedding Banquet, Tran plays Angela, one half of a lesbian couple trying to have a baby. The film explores themes of identity, family, and acceptance within the queer Asian community. Tran has spoken about the personal significance of the film, noting that it allowed her to explore aspects of her own identity and experiences.
Coming Out as Queer
In 2024, Kelly Marie Tran came out as queer. She expressed that she had never truly felt so accepted before. Her role in The Wedding Banquet played a significant role in her decision to share this part of herself publicly.
Embracing Identity and Representation
Tran's decision to come out reflects her growing comfort with embracing her full identity and using her platform to advocate for greater representation. She recognizes the importance of visibility for queer Asian individuals and hopes to inspire others to embrace their identities without shame. She stated, “And in order for that to happen, we need to be open and celebrating these parts of our identities that we’ve been taught to be ashamed of,” she says. “I’m trying to walk that walk every single day, even though I'm absolutely terrified.”
Advocacy and Activism
Beyond her acting career, Tran has become an advocate for diversity, inclusion, and mental health. She uses her platform to speak out against online harassment and promote positive representation in media. She hopes to create a world where individuals of all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and valued.
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Addressing Societal Issues
Tran's advocacy extends to broader societal issues, such as the need for greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and the fight against discrimination. She believes that culture influences legislation and that it is essential to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
Future Projects and Aspirations
Kelly Marie Tran continues to pursue acting and producing opportunities that align with her values and passions. She is committed to telling stories that amplify marginalized voices and promote understanding and empathy. She also aims to create more opportunities for queer people and civil rights.
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