Dani Bowman, star of the Netflix series Love on the Spectrum, has criticised the use of an ableist slur in the HBO drama Euphoria. In a recent episode, Sydney Sweeney's character Cassie uses the r-word, declaring she is 'not a r*****' after being accused of sounding like a Democrat.
Bowman, who is on the autism spectrum, described the word as 'dehumanising' and said its casual use is 'painful'. She told TMZ: 'We worked way too hard for inclusion and acceptance to normalise the R word again. That word has been used for decades to bully, humiliate and dehumanise neurodiverse people, and bringing it back like it’s edgy or funny, it’s not progress. It’s a step backwards.'
The 31-year-old campaigner also addressed Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's use of the word during jokes about NBA player Draymond Green at Netflix's The Roast of Kevin Hart. She said: 'I respect Dwayne Johnson and everything he’s accomplished, but using the r-word, even in a joke or skit, is disappointing.'
Bowman added that she feels 'totally disrespected' by the slur's use on mainstream television and streaming platforms, calling for the word to be banned. The controversy adds to a series of issues surrounding the third and final season of Euphoria, including criticisms from OnlyFans models and accusations of misogyny.
