Katie Leung Opens Up About Harry Potter Racism Trauma

Katie Leung remembers the overwhelming flood of attention that came with landing her breakout role as Cho Chang in the Harry Potter movies. What she didn't expect was the racist harassment that followed.

The actress, now starring in Bridgerton's fourth season, recently spoke about the painful experience of facing online abuse as a teenager after joining the massive franchise. The sudden spotlight left her feeling exposed and unprepared.

"It was overwhelming from the get-go. Being in the spotlight from that age, when you're already insecure, was difficult, to say the least... I remember being very curious about what people were saying about me, and I was Googling myself. Nobody could have stopped me, because I was old enough to make up my own mind."

That curiosity led to discovering hateful comments that deeply wounded her self-esteem. Without proper support systems to handle such negativity, Leung found herself changing her behavior based on what strangers wrote about her online.

"I think it just sat with me, and it affected me in ways like, 'Oh yeah, I made that decision because people were saying this about me.' It probably made me less outgoing. I was very self-aware of what was coming out of my mouth. And for the longest time, I may have tried to make up for it and overcompensate."

Character Name Controversy Adds Another Layer

Beyond the racist comments, Leung's character name itself became a source of criticism. Cho Chang has long been viewed as problematic by fans and critics who consider it culturally insensitive.

The name doesn't represent any specific Asian culture authentically. Instead, it feels generic and poorly researched. Some people point out that it sounds similar to phrases historically used to mock Asian languages, making the choice even more troubling.

For a young actress already dealing with racist abuse, carrying a character name widely seen as a symbol of poor representation added extra weight to an already difficult situation. The lack of care toward authentic diversity in the original casting decisions became painfully obvious.

Finding Safety in Bridgerton's Inclusive Environment

Years later, Leung has learned to block out negative noise surrounding her acting career. This growth helped her join the cast of Netflix's period drama as Lady Araminta Gun, an ambitious mother trying to secure marriages for her two daughters.

The experience on Bridgerton felt completely different from her teenage years in the wizarding world. This time, she felt welcomed and supported from day one.

"It feels quite familiar, in a sense. Also, I'm older, and at a place in my life where I'm not too fazed going into something seemingly so huge."

What impressed Leung most was the show's genuine commitment to diversity both in front of and behind the camera. The inclusive atmosphere made her feel secure as a performer.

"Their inclusion and diversity behind and in front of the camera is just... You can see it and feel it, and that made me feel really safe to be able to kind of play as an actor."

For Leung, Bridgerton represents a workspace where representation feels natural and respected rather than tokenistic or isolating. The contrast with her earlier experience shows how much the entertainment industry has evolved in creating safer environments for actors of color.