Jem and the Holograms' Aurora Perrineau admits she faced racist abuse

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The 21-year-old actress is the daughter of African American actor Harold Perrineau and white actress Brittany Perrineau
She plays Jem's African American bandmate, Shana, in the film
Aurora says she didn't know how to react when people criticized her casting, saying: 'I've always been black'
Her father Harold, 52, recently slammed critics for 'attacking' his daughter

Published: 15:57 EST, 26 October 2015 | Updated: 22:59 EST, 26 October 2015

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A star of the new Jem and the Holograms movie says she endured racist abuse from people who objected to her casting because of her light skin color.

Aurora Perrineau, 21, was thrilled when she won the part of lead character Jem's African American bandmate, Shana, in the modern live action adaptation of the popular 1980s cartoon. But the actress reveals that a number of biased critics took issue with the fact that she was biracial, and said she was 'not black enough' for the role.

'I’ve always been black, and people have always thought of me as black. So for me it was kind of this weird thing,' Aurora told Yahoo Style.

Backlash: Aurora Perrineau, 21, reveals she endured racist abuse by critics who objected to her playing Jem's African-American bandmate, Shana, in the new Jem and the Holograms movie because she's biracial

On set: Aurora (near left) said that she was 'shocked' about the backlash because people have always thought of her as black. Above, she's seen with her co-stars Hayley Kiyoko, Aubrey Peeples and Stefani Scott

The up-and-coming star, who is the daughter of African-American actor Harold Perrineau and white actress Brittany Perrineau, went on to share: 'I identify with both races. I don’t see color.

'My parents have always taught me it doesn’t matter what color you are.'

She added: 'They’ve never really talked about color. So to have the backlash, that really shocked me more than anything else.'

Aurora, who appears in the much-hyped film alongside Aubrey Peebles, 21, Stefanie Scott, 18, Eiza Gonzales, 25 and Hayley Kiyoko, 24, said that she initially didn't know how to respond to the online criticism.

'In the beginning I had a hard time,' she shared, adding: 'I’m not great with social media in general.'

Speaking out: The star, who is the daughter of African-American actor Harold Perrineau and white actress Brittany Perrineau, says she identifies with both races

The cast: Aurora (far left) stars in the move alongside Stefani (near left), Hayley (near right) and Aubrey (far right), who plays Jem

Hitting back: Harold, 52, said he was 'angry' about the backlash against his daughter in an essay for The Wrap. Above, Aurora is seen with her dad and mom, Brittany, who is also an actress

The original: Aurora's character Shana (far left) is seen playing the guitar in this image from the popular 1980s cartoon. Critics slammed the actress for not being 'black enough' for the role

The actress further revealed: 'I’d maybe been bullied here and there before in school or something, [but] when it started happening on the Internet, my first reaction was to tweet them back either something mean, or... try to explain things to people.'

However, Aurora said that she eventually realized that the mean-spirited comments were not worth responding to.

'At the end of the day, people are going to have an opinion on me, good or bad, and that’s how it’s going to always be. You can be one of the biggest stars ever and someone is going to hate you,' she shared.

She went on to offer advice for young people in today's age of social media bullying, saying: 'Be who you are no matter what other people are saying or trying to make you do.'

Challenges: Aurora said she initially didn't know how to respond to the backlash, but in the end decided it was best not to respond to her biased critics

All-star cast: Hayley, Aubrey, Aurora, and Stefanie were seen promoting the movie in Rhode Island last week

Her father Harold, 52, who is famous for his portrayal of Michael Dawson on Lost, also spoke out about the racist criticism his daughter has been subjected to, saying he was incredibly 'angry' about the backlash.

In an essay published on The Wrap, Harold wrote: 'The reason I'm so angry right now... is that I feel like my daughter – MY CHILD – is being attacked. She is being harshly and unfairly judged during a time when she should be relishing her accomplishments.'

He went on to reveal that some superfans told Aurora to 'kill herself' for taking the role, saying he thinks people should re-directed their negative energy in a positive and constructive way.

'We live in an incredibly creative time, where it may not be necessary to have big money and power to have your voices heard. Why not use your power there?' Harold shared.