&34;It was just a very human moment,&34; the actress said during a press conference at the New York Film Festival on Friday. Ayo Edebiri addresses discourse ove

"It was just a very human moment," the actress said during a press conference at the New York Film Festival on Friday.

Ayo Edebiri addresses discourse over controversial MeToo and Black Lives Matter interview question

"It was just a very human moment," the actress said during a press conference at the New York Film Festival on Friday.

By Emlyn Travis

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on MTV News, Teen Vogue, and *NME*.

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September 26, 2025 3:38 p.m. ET

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Ayo Edebiri attends the 2025 Disney Upfront at Javits Center on May 13, 2025 in New York City. Credit:

TheStewartofNY/Getty

Ayo Edebiri is addressing the discourse over her response to a controversial question about the #MeToo and the Black Lives Matter movements while promoting her new film, *After the Hunt*.**

The 29-year-old actress was asked if she'd seen the reaction online to the now-viral question and had anything else to add to her initial response during a press conference for the Luca Guadagnino-directed film at the New York Film Festival on Friday. **

"I think I'm like less online than I used to be — yeah, clap for peace of mind — so I didn't really, to be completely honest," Edebiri replied. "And I love to lie! I make money on it!"

She continued, "I didn't really pay too much attention, but I mean, it was just a very human moment. And I think, in a strange way, uncomfortable conversation, that's kind of one of the many things our film is about. So shout out to Italians, I don't know."

Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri speak onstage at the "After The Hunt" Press Conference during the 63rd New York Film Festival at The Film Society of Lincoln Center, Walter Reade Theatre on Sept. 26, 2025 in New York City.

Cindy Ord/Getty for FLC

Edebiri made headlines earlier this month at the Venice Film Festival when she answered a question about the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements that had been specifically directed toward her costars, Andrew Garfield and Julia Roberts. **

"What have we lost in the politically correct era, and what we have to expect in Hollywood after the #MeToo movement and the Black Lives Matter are done?" Italian journalist Federica Polidoro asked, drawing a range of confused and amused reactions from the three stars. **

"I know that that's not for me, and I don't know if it's purposeful if it's not for me... [but] I don't think it's done," Edebiri replied. "I don't think it's done at all."

She continued, "Hashtags might not be used as much but I do think that there's work being done by activists, by people every day that's beautiful, important work. That's not finished, that's really, really active for a reason because this world's really charged. And that work isn't finished at all."**

Luca Guadagnino says his new film 'After the Hunt' feels 'very linked' to Woody Allen

Conan O'Brien tells Ayo Edebiri she's 'revered by the Irish people' while he's 'rightfully loathed'

Garfield echoed Edebiri's comments, adding that both of the aforementioned "movements are still absolutely alive."

Edebiri added, "Maybe there's not mainstream coverage in the way that there might have been, daily headlines in the way that it might have been eight or so years ago, but I don't think it means that the work is done. That's what I would say."**

Her thoughtful response was applauded on social media, with many pointing out that it was awkward and unnecessary to exclude her from answering the question in the first place. **

Polidoro later addressed the backlash that she'd received for the question in an Instagram statement, noting that she'd "been subjected to personal insults and attacks because of a question that, for some reason, was not well received by some members of the public."**

She continued, "I would like to clarify that, rather than focusing on the thoughtful responses of Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts, and Andrew Garfield, the discussion continues solely on how I should have phrased the question. In my view, the real racists are those who see racism everywhere and seek to muzzle journalism, limiting freedom of analysis, critical thinking, and the plurality of perspectives."**

Polidoro did not clarify why she chose to exclude Edebiri from the initial question at the time, nor did she apologize for the awkward interaction. "To date, I am not aware of any protocol that dictates the order in which questions must be asked in an interview," she added.

As Edebiri noted at the New York Film Festival, *After the Hunt* doesn't shy away from its fair share of "uncomfortable conversation." The film sees Yale philosophy professor Alma Olsson (Roberts) at a complicated crossroads when her student Maggie (Edebiri) accuses her friend and colleague Henri Gibson (Garfield) of sexual assault, causing her to reflect on a dark secret from her own past. The film also stars Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny.

*After the Hunt *is set to open the New York Film Festival tonight, before moving to theaters nationwide on Oct. 10.

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