'I hope you believe me': Constance Wu explains reaction to 'Fresh Off the Boat' being renewed

Credit: Andrew Toth

Credit: Andrew Toth

Constance Wu has issued a lengthy statement in response to what she says were "ill-timed" tweets when news emerged that "Fresh Off the Boat," in which she is a star, was renewed for a sixth season.

Wu plays Jessica Huang, the mother of a family who are adjusting after they move from Washington, D.C.'s, Chinatown neighborhood to suburban Orlando in the mid '90s.

BuzzFeed News reported that, after it was announced on Friday that the ABC sitcom was renewed, Wu tweeted expletives that seemed to indicate her disappointment with the news.

"So upset right now that I'm literally crying," one tweet read. "Ugh."

When someone replied, "Congrats on your renewal! Great news :)," Wu responded, "No it's not."

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Wu deleted her reply soon after, but BuzzFeed News reported that she commented, "Dislike" on a photo announcing the renewal on the "Fresh Off the Boat" official Instagram page.

A number of people weighed in on Twitter, some claiming to have worked with Wu before, and criticized the “Crazy Rich Asians” actress for coming across as ungrateful and rude.

"That was not a rampage, it was just how I normally talk. I say (expletive) a lot. I love the word," she tweeted. "Y'all are making a lot of assumptions about what I was saying. And no, it's not what it's about. No it's not..what this is all about. Stop assuming."

"You... literally said you were upset and crying over the renewal of a tv show you're in," someone replied. "Of course people are going to ask why that was your reaction to what most actors would be happy about. Care to explain why?"

"I said I was upset and crying," Wu said. "I did not say it was over a tv show. You're making an assumption."

Hours later, Wu doubled down, saying that her tweets came after hard day.

“Todays tweets were on the heels of rough day&were ill timed w/the news of the show,” she tweeted. “Plz know, Im so grateful for FOTB renewal. I love the cast&crew. Im proud to be a part of it. For all the fans support, thank u & for all who support my casual use of the word (expletive)-thank u too.”

Related: 'Hustlers': Cardi B, J. Lo, Constance Wu, Keke Palmer to co-star in new movie

That explanation wasn't enough, because Wu issued a much longer statement on Saturday explaining her reaction as a response to the show preventing her from working on a passion project. She also reiterated that she enjoyed working on "Fresh Off the Boat."

"I love FOTB. I was temporarily upset yesterday not because I hate the show but bc its renewal meant I had to give up another project that I was really passionate about," she said. "So my dismayed social media replies were more about that other project and not about FOTB.

“But I understand how that could feel interconnected and could get muddled. So here is me unmuddling it with my truth: FOTB is a great show that I’m proud of and that I enjoy.”

Wu added that she’s gotten to know her character well and can play her easily, which she is thankful for, but she wanted to take on another project that would have been challenging to her.

“My words and ill-timing were insensitive to those who are struggling, especially insensitive considering the fact that I used to be in that struggle too,” she wrote. “I do regret that and it wasn't nice and I am sorry for that.”

It's not clear if the project Wu is speaking of is the upcoming heist film "Hustlers." Wu was announced as a co-star in the movie, which stars Keke Palmer, Jennifer Lopez and Cardi B. Lopez and Cardi B were seen filming the movie in New York as recently as May 3.

"People have 'assumed' that that meant I don't love and enjoy FOTB. But I do love and enjoy it. I hope you believe me."

Read Wu's full statement below.

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