Shang-Chi star Awkwafina has quit Twitter on her therapist's advice

Shang-Chi actor and former Cosmopolitan UK cover star Awkwafina – real name Nora Lum – announced this weekend that she has quit Twitter under the advice of her therapist and in light of 'blaccent' criticism made against her.

"I’ll see you in a few years, Twitter - per my therapist", she wrote in a tweet on 5 February. "To my fans, thank you for continuing to love and support someone who wishes they could be a better person for you. I apologise if I ever fell short, in anything I did. You’re in my heart always."

She continued: "To clarify: I am retiring from the ingrown toenail that is Twitter. Not retiring from anything else, even if I wanted to, and I didn’t drunkenly hit someone with a shoehorn and now escaping as a fugitive. Also am avail[able] on all other socials that don’t tell you to kill yourself!"

The Crazy Rich Asians actor's move comes after she faced backlash for allegedly using African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) and culturally appropriating Black language early on in her career – particularly in her viral rap videos on which she built her career back in 2012.

In response to the allegations, the 33-year-old shared a message on Twitter before announcing her departure from the platform. "There is a sociopolitical context to everything, especially the historical context of the African American community in this country", she said. "It is a group that is disproportionately affected by institutionalised policies and law enforcement policies — all while having historically and routinely seen their culture stolen, exploited, and appropriated by the *dominant* culture for monetary gain without any acknowledgement nor respect for where those roots come from, the pioneers of its beginnings, and the artists that perfected and mastered the craft."

She continued: "My immigrant background allowed me to carve an American identity off the movies and tv shows I watched, the children I went to public school with, and my undying love and respect for hip hop. I think, as a group, Asian Americans are still trying to figure out what that journey means for them — what is correct and where they don't belong."

She went on: "But, as a non-Black POC, I stand by the fact that I will always listen and work tirelessly to understand the history and context of AAVE... But I must emphasise: To mock, belittle, or be unkind in any way possible at the expense of others is: Simply. Not. My. Nature. It never has, and it never was."

But, her response wasn't well received by everyone, with some arguing that her apology missed the mark. "Not one word of this is an apology for making a mockery of Black people and Black culture", said one person, with another tweeting: "All of these words and no accountability. You see no apology because Nora is not sorry."

Elsewhere, fans defended the actor, with one person saying: "Assigning malicious intention to the behaviour of someone you don’t personally know (or really anyone) doesn’t seem fair or productive to me."

When approached for comment by Cosmopolitan UK, Awkwafina's representatives declined to comment.

You Might Also Like

• A ranking of the very best hair straighteners - according to our Beauty Editors

• Best party dresses to shop in the UK right now

• 11 products you'd be mad to miss from the Net A Porter beauty sale