When Supergirl actress Melissa Benoist broke her silence this week on the domestic violence she allegedly suffered at the hands of a former partner, fans and fellow actors rushed to support her. Predictably, though, ‘fan’ sites that take a conservative slant on entertainment news have now begun to question her honesty, some going so far as to claim it’s a publicity stunt to prop up the ratings of her CW TV show.
In a disgusting display of ignorance, commentators on Bounding Into Comics, a well known comicsgate-affiliated alt-right entertainment site, immediately questioned Benoist’s honesty after the site’s coverage of the story.
“Translation: My rating numbers are tanking,” said one reader. Another added a baseless yet popular claim among Men’s Rights groups, “funny there is no mention of women committing domestic violence more than men.”
A since-deleted comment read “the bitch probably deserved it.”
Benoist, and her show Supergirl, have been targets of right wing attacks almost from day one because of it’s youth-driven and political story-lines. Relying on unnamed sources, most likely invented by the writers, various websites have spread false cancellation rumors and review-bombed various episodes that tackled social issues. Further inciting incel rage, she’s spoken up on her feminism and belief that the character she portrays is a feminist. A critic of President Trump, the actress proudly participated in the Women’s March on Washington, D.C in 2018.
During the height of the #metoo movement, Benoist released a statement after Supergirl executive producer Andrew Kreisberg was suspended by Warner Bros. TV Group while the studio conducted an investigation of multiple allegations of sexual harassment against him. “I am a woman who leads a show that supports equality and feminism, empowerment, and fighting for what is right,” she wrote, “Sadly, the show and my career are part of an industry that doesn’t always mirror these sentiments.”
Her experience portraying Supergirl, and subsequent abuse at the hands of a partner, mirror those of Amber Heard, the Aquaman actress who’s been battling a smear campaign directed at her by her ex, Johnny Depp, his fans, and alt-right fueled toxic fans hungry to claim a victory against the #metoo movement.
It’s telling Benoist pre-preemptively confessed/admitted to hitting her partner back. She’s obviously paying attention to the way Johnny Depp and his cult have twisted Amber Heard defending herself into “she abused him, too!!!”
And the attacks on Melissa have extended into the Facebook DC comics groups, too, with people calling her a liar. It’s all very disgusting behavior.
I live on a ‘stand your ground’ state and I’ve given my daughter my blessings to slash the first man’s throat who lifts a hand to her.
You’re a good father to say your daughter should defend herself! Hope others can see our “We stand with Amber” and Support her in Aquaman 2 petition: https://www.change.org/p/amber-heard-supporters-we-support-amber-heard-in-aquaman-2
Also, yes! Women may become aggressive too in return to defend themselves against attacks. They don’t want to be harmed. A supposed anonymous Jane Doe who said they were a partner of ex-depp staff in April said their partner saw it in 2014/2015 and had an NDA up to 2017. I took screenshots, but unlike what JD fans do, it doesn’t spread out there… Sadly, it seems apparent to me that moles are all around Amber Heard and the person was likely lied to that there’s “investigation” of all of what the Doe said because Angela Kaplan, Amber’s lawyer, had the judge extend the case 6 months because they couldn’t even get information from Depp to support their case… Also, sadly I know PIs often won’t help women or may even be misogynist. Then there can be harmful case examples of only women vs men shown on the backend. Let’s be Veronica Mars, haha… in real life, not ghosts.
I hope more people prevent violence against women. I Stand with Melissa Benoist! She’s doing great change by doing this.