Amid several backlashes that the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender faced, Elizabeth Yu was among the first to face early criticisms from fans. Particularly, fans claimed that physically the actor was far from resembling Azula in Nickelodeon’s animated action-adventure.
However, Yu was far from taking all the criticisms on her shoulders that would easily intimidate someone else in her place, she doesn’t give a damn. The Fire Nation princess’ response to the criticism was as fiery as her character appeared to be on screen.
Elizabeth Yu Doesn’t Care About The Criticism Of Her
Elizabeth Yu came to prominence following the announcement of her casting in Netflix’s live-action adaptation Avatar: The Last Airbender based on the fan-favorite Nickelodeon show of the same name. Several fans were immensely unhappy with Yu’s casting as Princess Azula. The disappointment among fans arose on a few grounds. To begin with, several complained that she was too innocent to play the antagonist in the live-action. Other few vehemently sobbed over her facial features claiming Yu’s face wasn’t angular like Azula in the Nickelodeon show. Yu, however, was completely unrattled by the criticism laid on her way. In a chat with Refinery29, the 21-year-old rather joked about it.
“I’m a hit with the kids. I think anybody playing this part would’ve gotten some kind of backlash.”
Yu further assured fans that her character was not going to deviate from the villainous traits but her appearance playing the character was inherently going to have a new light. “It’s an origin story for her,” she told the outlet. “It’s this foundation being laid out for a lot of things to make sense when we eventually pick up where we first met her in the original series,” she continued. Also, Yu revealed that her character is a girl boss with an evil embodiment.
Elizabeth Yu Was More Concerned About Her Sister Than Fans’ Criticism
Yu enjoyed playing Princess Azula and cherished the character in her heart. “Azula is my baby girl, she’s my boo thing. I love her,” she told Refinery29 with utter excitement. But before appearing on screen or on set wearing Azula’s costume, she was concerned about what her sisters might think of her. “All I had growing up was London Tipton,” Yu said of the Disney character.
“The idea that my little sisters are going to be able to watch TV and movies, and the likelihood of them getting to see someone that looks like them is so much higher, is such a win. It’s so healing to know that we’re creating an industry where little girls — little anyones — can feel like that.”
For Yu, the representation matters, not just for her own satisfaction but the concern remained poignant when it comes to her sister. She knows the essence of influence growing up and Yu intends to be careful with roles she would play. Still, when it comes to criticism, Yu believes it to be part of the process.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is streaming on Netflix.
