Jurassic Park and Mr. Robot Star BD Wong Apologizes After Alleged Racist Remark Sparks Backlash
Jurassic Park and Mr. Robot actor BD Wong has apologized after a comment on influencer Mike Holston’s post was widely criticized as racist, igniting a social media backlash and wider debate.
BD Wong had a rough one online. The Jurassic Park and Mr. Robot actor dropped a joke under a viral post that landed with a thud, deleted it, then issued not one but two apologies on Threads. It turned into a broader conversation about what celebs say on social media and how fast it can blow up.
What actually happened
Wong commented on a post from social media influencer Mike Holston that was captioned: "Name this animal... wrong answers only." Wong replied: "It appears to be a Black man." He deleted the comment, but the screenshots did what screenshots do, and the backlash came fast.
The first apology
Wong jumped on Threads to say he messed up and tried to explain where his head was, while stressing he understood the hurt. He admitted he deleted the comment for damage control but acknowledged that it was out there and causing harm.
"Y'all I made a very bad joke... I deleted it for Damage Control but it's out there & continues to hurt & disappoint & I'm really sorry about the hurt part."
He added that he was trying to follow the "wrong answers only" prompt by going for the most obviously wrong response, and that the only thing he succeeded at was being wildly off-base. He also told followers he knows no one gets a free pass and apologized if this "#wtfbd moment" changed how people see him, thanking anyone pushing for a safer internet.
One commenter summed up the mood: they understood the intent, but pointed out that right now, words and actions carry real weight and consequences.
Then he followed up
A few hours later, Wong posted again to take fuller ownership and to avoid making excuses. He called the comment what it was and said he knew better.
"I want to elaborate on a racist comment I posted, to clarify that I recognize & accept the responsibility for how terrible it is... Let me please spend the energy on how wrong I know it is to exploit a despicable, racist trope in the supposed spirit of humor; I do know better, but again no excuses. Very sorry for the hurt I've caused & for taking lightly something so deeply injurious."
How it unfolded, quickly:
- Mike Holston posts "Name this animal... wrong answers only."
- BD Wong replies: "It appears to be a Black man."
- He deletes the comment amid backlash.
- First Threads post: calls it a "very bad joke," says he deleted it for damage control, apologizes for the harm.
- Mentions he tried to play along with the prompt and failed, adds the "#wtfbd moment" line and thanks those advocating for a safer internet.
- Second Threads post (a few hours later): labels the remark racist, accepts responsibility, says explaining would only break trust further, apologizes again for invoking a harmful trope.
Big picture
Wong's comment was ugly, and he said so himself. The double-apology approach was him trying to get past the instinct to explain and instead sit with the responsibility. The whole thing became a reminder that once you post it, you own it — especially if a lot of people know your name.