The Dark Side claimed a victory today when actress Daisy Ridley deleted her Instagram account. After Sunday’s Teen Choice Awards, where Ridley was in attendance, Ridley posted a message to her Facebook account expressing her support for those affected by gun violence. It said:
“Thinking about how lucky I am like……… Serious bit: as I sat in the audience yesterday tears were streaming down my face at the tribute to those that have been lost to gun violence. I didn’t get a great picture of the incredible group that came onstage but they were so brave. It was a true moment of togetherness. We must ‪#‎stoptheviolence.â€
A few days later, Ridley’s Instagram has been deleted along with the Facebook post, and the contentious uncoupling is likely the result of Ridley being tired of defending herself from abuse by trolls online. The actress frequently used her social channels to connect with fans on deeply personal topics, like the trouble she has keeping her skin clear and her battle with endometriosis and polycystic-ovary syndrome — and vulnerability on social media doesn’t come without its detractors. On a few occasions earlier this year, Ridley took to Instagram to defend herself from body-shamers and to promote love and acceptance for all, but it seems whatever backlash she got for saying #stoptheviolence was enough to push her away from social media completely, at least for now. Fans on her Facebook page are calling for her to come back, and if Leslie Jones has taught us one thing, it’s that you don’t beat the haters by backing down.