Being a young actor can be challenging, and the Harry Potter films are a clear example of this. While the main stars are still widely loved, several other actors who appeared in the series have spoken out about the stress, bullying, and even racist behavior they experienced from fans. Katie Leung is one of the actors who recently shared her negative experiences with fan reactions to the films.
Katie Leung, who played Cho Chang in the final five Harry Potter films, has recently discussed the harmful effects of bullying she experienced after being cast. In an interview with The Guardian, Leung revealed she was deeply affected by the racial abuse and negative comments she received from many people following her debut in the series.
Katie Leung, who was just 18 when the first Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire film came out and 24 when the series ended, admits she made a mistake by reading online comments about her acting. She said the immediate reaction was overwhelming and being in the public eye at such a young, insecure age was incredibly challenging. Although she enjoyed filming the movies, seeing negative feedback when she searched for her name online quickly showed her the downside of fame.
The actress admitted she wasn’t sure if things could have been handled differently when she was younger. She explained that, as a young person, she was naturally curious and would search for herself online. No one could have prevented this, as she was old enough to make her own choices. What she discovered were unkind and racially charged comments from strangers. These comments stuck with her and influenced her decisions, making her more reserved and overly conscious of her words.
A lot of the negative reactions came after her character kissed Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. While the kiss also happened in the books, it led to widespread media attention and brought out racist comments online. Some people even created websites dedicated to attacking the actress. She was advised by her publicists to pretend she didn’t know about the hateful responses, despite being fully aware of them.
Harry Potter Actress Believes She Would Never Get Anything Better
Katie Leung felt she had reached the peak of her career with that role. She recalled feeling incredibly satisfied and thinking nothing could ever compare. This led to a sense of being lost and unsure of what to do next, as she worried people would expect even greater performances from her. She believes this fear of not living up to those expectations ultimately led her to stop pursuing acting, or at least not give it a full effort.
Thankfully, she’s moved past the difficult time she experienced. Leung mentioned she used to push herself too hard, but now she’s able to disconnect from work and enjoy a normal life with her family. She’s also excited about a new, significant project – playing Lady Araminta Gun in the upcoming season of Bridgerton, though she admits it’s not quite on the scale of Harry Potter.
Katie Leung is adding to the growing number of former Harry Potter child stars who have found success in Hollywood and beyond. Daniel Radcliffe has continued to thrive in both film and theater, while Emma Watson has taken on notable roles, including the hit movie Beauty and the Beast. Rupert Grint has found success on television with shows like Servant and The ABC Murders. Tom Felton appeared in the reboot of Planet of the Apes. And Robert Pattinson, who started his career alongside Leung, has become one of the most successful, moving from Twilight to now leading the Batman franchise.
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2026-01-09 23:12