'The Boys' star Erin Moriarty says she feels 'dehumanized' and 'paralyzed' because of fans trolling her

• "The Boys" actor Erin Moriarty responded to fans sending hurtful messages about her appearance.
• The Starlight actor shared on Instagram an essay from a fan defending Moriarty.
• Moriarty added that she felt "silenced" and "dehumanized" by the negative comments.

"The Boys" star Erin Moriarty has spoken out about feeling "dehumanized" after fans trolled her by leaving negative comments about her appearance on social media.

Moriarty, who plays the superhero Starlight in the hit Amazon series, shared on Instagram screenshots of a Medium article titled "#IStandWithStarlight?: The betrayal of Erin Moriarty by The Boys 'fans'," which criticized the hurtful messages and "misogyny" Moriarty has received. This has increased since the third season premiered.

Moriarty captioned her Instagram post: "I do feel silenced. I do feel dehumanized. I do feel paralyzed. I've put blood, sweat, and tears into this role (over & over & over again), I've grown UP in this character's shoes (*emphasis on grown up - we change & evolve mentally AND physically)."

She continued: "So with that I say: a) thank you to @butcherscanary b) this does break my heart - I've opened up a vein for this role and this kind of trolling is exactly what this role (Annie) would speak out against and c) everyone's going through their own battle(s); let's not add to that. I will never intentionally (and ESPECIALLY) publicly add to yours."

She ended the post by saying: "This has only strengthened my empathy muscle and to anyone who comes at me: I see you, I don't hate you, I only empathize and forgive."

The Medium essay author, who goes by the username butcherscanary, wrote in the article that Moriarty's "objectification" was disproportionate to her costars and in fact contrasts the message of the show because Moriarty's character, Starlight, fights being "silenced and sexualized." 

Moriarty also posted this section of the article on her Instagram story, highlighting the part that says: "But Annie is fictional, and Erin is not."

Moriarty's "Boys" costars have rallied alongside her. Black Noir actor Nate Mitchell reshared Moriarty's post to his own story. 

Antony Starr, who plays Homelander on the show, wrote: "support you and what you say here 100%. Well put ;) Your work on the show is and always has been stellar and you are beautiful inside and out. Keep shining ;) xo"

Jack Quaid, who plays Starlight's lover, Hughie, also said: "Love you Erin. We're all here for you. You're such an incredible, talented force of nature and I consider myself incredibly lucky to know you. Keep shining bright. Leave the trolls to us. We got your back."