Constance Wu Says She Attempted Suicide After Twitter Remark, Subsequent Backlash

Estimated read time 4 min read


Constance Wu has returned to social media after three years.

And the actress has done so with a heart-shattering admission.

In 2019, Wu wrote on Twitter that she was “really upset” about the sitcom’s renewal, sparking outrage from fans who didn’t think the star — fresh off a role in the hit film Crazy Rich Asians — was appreciative of her position on the ABC comedy.

Wu tried to clarify her comments at the time, but it was too late. Tremendous backlash ensued.

In a lengthy new statement on Thursday, the 40-year-old actress wrote:

“I was afraid of coming back on social media because I almost lost my life from it:

“3 years ago, when I made careless tweets about the renewal of my TV show, it ignited outrage and internet shaming that got pretty severe.”

Wu said she felt “awful,” about what she said almost immediately… but the damage had already been done to her reputation.

Continued Wu:

“When a few DMs from a fellow Asian actress told me I’d become a blight on the Asian American community, I started feeling like I didn’t even deserve to live anymore.

“That I was a disgrace to AsAms, and they’d be better off without me.

“Looking back, it’s surreal that a few DMs convinced me to end my own life, but that’s what happened. Luckily, a friend found me and rushed me to the ER.”

Wu, who also played a role in the movie Huslters, admitted it was an understandably “scary moment that made me reassess a lot in my life” and went on as follows:

For the next few years, I put my career aside to focus on my mental health.

AsAms don’t talk about mental health enough. While we’re quick to celebrate representation wins, there’s a lot of avoidance around the more uncomfortable issues within our community.

Even my tweets became a subject so touchy that most of my AsAm colleagues decided that was the time to avoid me or ice me out.

I’ll admit it hurt a lot, but it also made me realize how important it is to reach out and care for people who are going through a hard time.

Due to this experience, Wu chose to write a book titled Making a Scene.

The memoir will be released on October 4 — and will feature Wu recounting very personal moments from her life across a number of essays.

At this point, the actress says she’s here “to reach out and help people talk about the uncomfortable stuff to understand it, reckon with it, and open pathways to healing.

“If we want to be seen, really seen…We need to let all of ourselves be seen, including the parts we’re scared of or ashamed of — parts that, however imperfect, require care and attention.

“And we need to stop beating each other (and ourselves) up when we do so.”

Wu confesses she’s far from “perfect” and has made a lot of “mistakes,” but she hopes that just makes her relatable to others suffering from mental health problems.

“After a little break from Hollywood and a lot of therapy I feel OK enough to venture back on here (at least for a little bit),” the actress concluded.

“And even though I’m scared, I’ve decided that I owe it to the me-of-3-years-ago to be brave and share my story so that it might help someone with theirs.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

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