Constance Wu's TV boss reveals they have no plans to recast her after F-word reaction to Fresh Off The Boat renewal: 'We love what she does for the show'
ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke said she has no plans to replace Fresh Off The Boat star Constance Wu after the actress had a Twitter meltdown in response to the sitcom’s renewal.
'There’s been no thought to recasting Constance. We love what she does on the show and we love the show,' Burke told reporters at the Disney 2019 Upfront Experience on Tuesday.
Burke added that she knew Wu - who plays Jessica Huang - had opportunities outside the network, but always planned to renew the popular sitcom.
Not going anywhere: ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke told reporters on Tuesday she has no plans to replace Fresh Off The Boat star Constance Wu after the actress had a Twitter meltdown in response to the sitcom’s renewal; (Constance We pictured at Met Gala in May)
She was asked to respond to Wu's angry tweets - including one that read 'so upset that I’m literally crying' - after news broke that the show would be returning for a sixth season.
Wu tried to clear up the situation by saying she was disappointed because 'I had to give up another project that I was really passionate about.'
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'I did actually know she had another opportunity. We never really considered not bringing back the show. It’s too strong for us,' Burke explained.
Burke added she is 'choosing to believe Constance’s most recent communication.'
Always the plan: 'I did actually know she had another opportunity. We never really considered not bringing back the show. It’s too strong for us,' Karey Burke said; (pictured December 2018)
Burke was referring to Wu's lengthy social media post explaining why she was 'dismayed' at the renewal news.
'I love FOTB. I was temporarily upset yesterday not bc [sic] I hate the show but bc [sic] its renewal meant I had to give up another project that I was really passionate about. So my dismayed social media replies were more about that other project and not about FOTB,' Wu tweeted.
'I’ve gotten to fully explore my character and I know her like the back of my hand. So playing Jessica is fun and easy and pleasant. I get to work with a kind and pleasant cast/crew. Which makes it all quite enjoyable — so obviously I don’t dislike doing a show that is fun and easy and pleasant.
No replacement: Burke followed with a reason for not replacing Wu - who plays Jessica Huang. 'We love what she does for the show.' Burke added she is 'choosing to believe Constance’s most recent communication'
'But in general, I’ve always sought artistic challenge over comfort and ease. I was disappointed in not being able to do that other project — because that other project would have challenged me as an artist — that other project would have been really hard and not easy or pleasant at all,' she added.
However, many fans considered the damage was already done as Wu's initial reaction came off 'ungrateful' and 'spoiled'.
Following news of the renewal, Wu wrote: 'So upset right now that I’m literally crying. Ugh. F***,' later tweeting, 'F***ing hell.
In an exchange, Wu replied to a follower who congratulated her on the renewal, calling it 'Great news,' to which she replied, 'No it's not.' (The tweet was later removed.)
She also wrote the phrase 'dislike' under a post on the show's official Instagram page announcing the renewal.
Dismayed: Following news of the renewal, Wu wrote: 'So upset right now that I’m literally crying. Ugh. F***,' later tweeting, 'F***ing hell
Twitter personality/journalist Yashar Ali was among those critical of Wu, referencing past TV stars noted for their career missteps while on hit shows.
'Someone pass along Shelley Long, David Caruso, and Katherine [Heigl’s] info to her,' Ali wrote. He later cited industry sources in saying that 'Wu’s conduct today comes as no surprise to anyone who has worked with her in recent years,' as 'she has a reputation for being rude, petty, mean-spirited, and ungrateful.'
Amid the controversy, the actress has a number of high-profile projects in the offing, including the Crazy Rich Asians sequel and a comedy called Hustlers opposite Jennifer Lopez and Cardi B.
Reaction: Twitter personality/journalist Yashar Ali was among those critical of Wu, referencing past TV stars noted for their career missteps while on hit shows, and sharing insight into her reputation from peers on-set
