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Anne Hathaway‘s newest movie The Witches has been the subject of some major controversy recently, and Hathaway is at the center of it.
In the film, Hathaway’s character, the Grand High Witch, has three fingers on each hand, which resembles ectrodactyly, a limb disability. She has since apologized for her portrayal, particularly how it hurt people with limb differences.
Keep reading for what the actress had to say.
On Instagram, Hathaway made a lengthy apology: "I have recently learned that many people with limb differences, especially children, are in pain because of the portrayal of the Grand High Witch in The Witches."
She continued, "Let me begin by saying I do my best to be sensitive to the feelings and experiences of others not out of some scrambling PC fear, but because not hurting others seems like a basic level of decency we should all be striving for. As someone who really believes in inclusivity and really, really detests cruelty, I owe you all an apology for the pain caused. I am sorry."
Hathaway added, "I did not connect limb difference with the GHW when the look of the character was brought to me; if I had, I assure you this never would have happened."
"I particularly want to say I’m sorry to kids with limb differences: now that I know better I promise I’ll do better. And I owe a special apology to everyone who loves you as fiercely as I love my own kids: I’m sorry I let your family down," the actress said.
In the post, she shared a video from Lucky Fin Project, which according to their Instagram page is a "nonprofit organization that exists to raise awareness and celebrate children, individuals, and families affected by limb differences."
Her apology got a lot of attention. The Paralympics Instagram page commented, "Thank you for addressing this. This is so important."
Selma Blair also commented, "It is strengthening to see this. All of this."
