Sebastian Stan missed the mark with a joke that was intended to promote his forthcoming movie, “I, Tonya.”
The 35-year-old actor shared a meme of Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan with the caption, “Back when ‘taking a knee’ meant taking a knee,” referencing Harding’s 1994 attack on her ice skating competitor Kerrigan.
(Margot Robbie is playing Harding).
“Exactly… Can’t wait to share #itonya with you… Dec 8th – NY & LA Jan 19th – everywhere else #90slife #90shair #90shorror Thank you @misterpat for this gem,” Stan wrote alongside the photo.
But in light of the ongoing national anthem protests, in which football players are taking a knee to show a unified front against police brutality and inequality, Stan’s Instagram didn’t sit well with followers.
“You might not want to use the oppression of others to promote your movie,” commented one follower.
“Using protests regarding the murder of innocent black people in a country riddled with systemic racism to promote a movie via a s–tty meme? Yikes,” noted another.
Others urged the “Gossip Girl” alum to delete the post, but instead, he issued an apology in the comments section.
“And finally, for anyone confused for whatever reason right now, please know this was not meant to be offensive or make fun of a serious matter, but a light-hearted way to promote my movie, which is ALSO about a very serious matter,” he wrote. “So before you start throwing things at me, if you know me, recognize where I come from and the kind of person that I am and what I stand for. I’ve been very vocal about that. Thank you.”
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