In today’s age of social media, public figures are under intense scrutiny, and one ill-timed comment can quickly spiral into a major controversy. For BD Wong, best known for his roles in Jurassic Park and Law & Order: SVU, a seemingly innocuous joke on Instagram turned into a full-blown public relations nightmare. The actor, known for his activism and dedication to anti-racism efforts, found himself facing backlash after a “dark humor” comment he made went viral. His subsequent apology and the divided public response highlight the complexities of modern celebrity culture and the fine line between humor and harm.

The Incident: What Happened?

On December 1, 2025, BD Wong commented on a post by Mike Holston, an exotic animal specialist with millions of followers on Instagram. Holston had shared a lighthearted clip of himself holding an exotic animal—a bearcat—and jokingly invited his followers to participate by posting “wrong answers only” in the caption.

In response, Wong wrote, “It appears to be a Black man.” While he likely intended this as a joke, the remark quickly ignited controversy. Many fans immediately called out the actor for what they perceived as a racist comment. The comment was quickly deleted, but by then, it had already been screenshotted and circulated widely across social media platforms, sparking a debate about racism and humor in the digital age.

Wong, known for his outspoken views on race and discrimination, was criticized not only for making the remark but also for the lack of self-awareness in his response. Given his history as an advocate for Asian American rights and his past work addressing issues of racism, many were shocked by the comment.

Curious about BD Wong’s apology for his controversial social media comment? Watch this video to hear directly from the Jurassic Park star as he addresses the backlash and explains his mistake.

The Apology: Acknowledging the Harm

In the wake of the backlash, BD Wong issued a public apology on his social media accounts, including his Threads profile. In his statement, Wong took full responsibility for the comment, acknowledging that it was a “despicable, racist trope.” He clarified that he was trying to play along with the “wrong answers only” prompt but admitted that his response was “super wrong.”

Wong emphasized that he was not making excuses for his behavior and that his apology was not about damage control but about genuinely owning up to the harm he caused. “It’s wrong to try to ‘explain’ anything,” he wrote, expressing regret for perpetuating a harmful stereotype under the guise of humor. He also noted that while he had deleted the comment for “damage control,” it was still out there, and he understood why people were hurt by it.

In his second apology, Wong elaborated further on why he made the comment in the first place. He admitted that he had made a “bad joke,” explaining that he was merely trying to provide the “wrongest answer” to Holston’s prompt. However, he conceded that his attempt at humor missed the mark and that it was not funny, nor appropriate. He expressed his disappointment in himself, saying, “I’m sorry if this tarnished any respect you may’ve had for me.”

Divided Opinions: Fans React to the Comment and Apology

As Wong’s apologies were shared across social media, the public’s reaction was mixed. Many fans were empathetic, arguing that the comment was a poor attempt at humor rather than a deliberate racist remark. “A joke is a joke,” one supporter commented. “If you didn’t mean anything behind it, that’s all it was. I love you and your art. You don’t need to apologize.”

However, others weren’t so forgiving. Some insisted that the comment was not just “bad” but outright racist. They criticized Wong for trying to downplay the seriousness of the comment, with one fan remarking, “If it had just been ‘bad,’ you wouldn’t have immediately tried to delete it. You deleted it because you knew the backlash was coming.”

Moreover, critics argued that Wong’s apology was insufficient because it didn’t explicitly label his comment as racism. One user tweeted, “It was more than a bad joke; it was racist. Call it that and name your racism if you want to be genuine in your apology.”

Despite the divide in opinions, it became clear that Wong’s reputation had been affected, with some fans questioning whether he would be able to fully recover from the incident.

BD Wong’s Legacy as an Advocate

One of the reasons the backlash against Wong was so intense was due to his established history as a vocal advocate for racial justice and Asian American rights. Over the years, Wong has used his platform to speak out against anti-Asian hate, racism, and whitewashing in Hollywood. He has consistently been a force for positive change within the entertainment industry, particularly in relation to representation and diversity.

For many, this controversy seemed to contradict his well-established reputation as an advocate for marginalized communities. Wong had previously been praised for using his platform to address the struggles of the Asian American community, often talking about how his experience of being “neither White nor Black” gave him a unique perspective on race in America. His role in speaking out for racial equality and fighting discrimination made his comment all the more shocking to those who followed him.

Want to hear BD Wong discuss his return to Jurassic World and his iconic role as Dr. Henry Wu? Watch this exclusive interview where he opens up about coming back to the franchise!

The Role of Social Media in Celebrity Backlash

This incident also highlights the increasing role social media plays in the way celebrity actions are scrutinized. In the age of instantaneous communication and viral content, public figures are under constant pressure to maintain a polished image. A single mistake can go viral, and the need to apologize becomes immediate.

Wong’s comment shows the dangers of humor on such a public platform. While humor can often be a powerful tool for challenging societal norms, it also has the potential to hurt and alienate people when the line between playful and offensive is crossed. The speed at which social media allows information—and misinformation—to spread means that celebrities are more vulnerable to intense public reactions than ever before.

In Wong’s case, the backlash was compounded by his high-profile status as an advocate against racism. His comment was seen by many as a betrayal of the very ideals he had spent years championing. This sets the stage for important discussions about the complexities of fame, humor, and responsibility in the digital era.

Final Thoughts: The Fallout and Moving Forward

In the wake of this controversy, BD Wong’s apology has sparked important conversations about race, humor, and the consequences of our words in the public sphere. While some fans have forgiven him, others remain critical, questioning the sincerity of his apologies and the impact of his comment.

Ultimately, the incident highlights a broader issue in society—the pressure to maintain a “perfect” image, especially for public figures. BD Wong, like many celebrities, made a mistake that he is now paying for, but his story offers a valuable lesson: words matter, and humor can be a double-edged sword. Moving forward, celebrities and public figures must remain aware of the power their words hold and the potential harm they can cause, even if unintentional.

The question remains: can BD Wong repair his reputation? Only time will tell. But the conversation sparked by this controversy will likely continue to evolve, especially as society navigates the complicated relationship between comedy, race, and public accountability.