Constance Wu opens up about attempted suicide after online backlash
Actress Constance Wu returned to social media after a years-long hiatus with an honest post saying she attempted suicide after online backlash.
Wu came under fire in March 2019 after responding negatively in a series of tweets to news that her show, "Fresh Off the Boat," had been renewed for a sixth -- and what turned out to ultimately be a final -- season. In a lengthy statement posted to Twitter on Thursday, Wu said this experience affected her deeply -- so much so that she said she "almost lost my life from it."
"I felt awful about what I'd said, and 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," she said. "That I was a disgrace to [Asian Americans], 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," the "Crazy Rich Asians" star added. "Luckily, a friend found me and rushed me to the ER."
Wu said the incident put things in perspective for her and she put her career -- and social media -- aside to focus on her mental health so she could "reassess a lot in my life."
"[Asian Americans] don't talk about mental health enough," she continued. "While we're quick to celebrate representation wins, there's a lot of avoidance around the more uncomfortable issues within our community."
Wu said feeling like she was being avoided or iced out by her own community made her realize "how important it is to reach out and care for people who are going through a hard time."
The "Hustlers" star said she has written a book, titled "Making a Scene," about her experience, with the goal to get people talking about "the uncomfortable stuff in order 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," she said. "And we need to stop beating each other (and ourselves) up when we do."
"So while my book is not always the most flattering portrayal, it's as honest as I know how to be," she said. "Because the truth is, I'm not poised or graceful or perfect. I'm emotional. I make mistakes…..lots of 'em!"
Wu said she owed it to herself -- "after a little break from Hollywood and a lot of therapy" -- to return to the spotlight and "be brave and share my story so that it might help someone with theirs."
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. You can reach Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 (U.S.) or 877-330-6366 (Canada) and The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386.
