Constance Wu Reveals She Attempted Suicide After Fresh Off the Boat Backlash

Content Warning: This article contains sensitive subjects and discusses the topic of suicide.

Constance Wu has returned to Twitter after almost three years to promote her new book, "Making a Scene." In her post, she also revealed that in 2019, she attempted suicide following the social media backlash to comments she made about the renewal of Fresh Off the Boat.

"I was afraid of coming back on social media because I almost lost my life from it: 3 years ago, when I made careless tweets about the renewal of my TV show, it ignited outrage and internet shaming that got pretty severe," Wu wrote in a statement she released on Twitter.

"I felt awful about what I'd said, and when a few DMs from a fellow Asian actress told me I'd become a blight on the Asian American community, I started feeling like I didn't even deserve to live anymore. That I was a disgrace to AsAms, and they'd be better off without me. Looking back, it's surreal that a few DMs convinced me to end my own life, but that's what happened. Luckily, a friend found me and rushed me to the ER."

In 2019, after Fresh Off the Boat was renewed for another season, Wu expressed frustration on Twitter, writing, "So upset right now that I'm literally crying. Ugh. F*ck." When a Twitter user congratulated her, calling the renewal "Great news," Wu responded, "No it's not."

Wu later explained that the sitcom's renewal meant she'd have to turn down a project she was passionate about, and that the role wasn't providing enough of a challenge anymore.

In the statement released on Thursday, Wu said the suicide attempt "was a scary moment that made me reassess a lot in my life."

"For the next few years, I put my career aside to focus on my mental health," she continued. "AsAms don't talk about mental health enough. While we're quick to celebrate representation wins, there's a lot of avoidance around the more uncomfortable issues within our community. Even my tweets became a subject so touchy that most of my AsAm colleagues decided that was the time to avoid me or ice me out. I'll admit it hurt a lot, but it also made me realize how important it is to reach out and care for people who are going through a hard time."

At the end of her statement, Wu added, "After a little break from Hollywood and a lot of therapy I feel OK enough to venture back on here (at least for a little bit). And even though I'm scared, I've decided that I owe it to the me-of-3-years-ago to be brave and share my story so that it might help someone with theirs."

pic.twitter.com/7YScJ4Pvig

— Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) July 14, 2022

Wu also included information in a subsequent Tweet, saying, "If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to [their website]."

Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.