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Fresh off her highly praised role in Christopher Nolan’s Greek mythology epic, The Odyssey, Charlize Theron is now facing a sudden wave of backlash over racism allegations. So, what happened? Let’s delve into the controversy.
Theron, who was born in South Africa, adopted two Black children, Jackson and August, from the United States, Jackson in 2012 and August in 2015. Over the years, she has revealed that both identify as girls and has spoken openly about raising them. Alongside resurfaced comments about growing up during apartheid, those parenting decisions have once again become the subject of heated discussion on social media.
So, why is Charlize Theron facing backlash now? Here’s what sparked the renewed controversy.
Why is the Charlize Theron controversy
trending now?
The controversy gained fresh momentum in 2026 after older photos and interview clips of the Mad Max actress resurfaced across social media. Much of the discussion centred on Jackson, whom the Oscar-winning actress adopted in 2012.
Charlize Theron is a racist, hateful bitch.
Why else would she adopt two little black boys from Africa and immediately say they’re girls and put them in dresses?
The only answer that comes to mind is that she hates black men. The argument that a three year-old knows its gender… pic.twitter.com/9MQcfzeUyn— RigoStaRR (@RigoIrizarry) July 17, 2026
In 2019, Theron revealed that Jackson had told her at the age of three, “I am not a boy,” and has since been raised as a girl. August, whom she adopted in 2015, is her younger daughter.
As the posts spread online, critics accused the South African actress of imposing gender ideology on her adopted African American children, with some describing it as cultural erasure or performative activism. Others also linked the renewed criticism to Theron’s past comments about apartheid and white privilege.
Why did Charlize Theron face backlash over her mother tongue?
The Devil’s Advocate actress has also come under scrutiny over her Afrikaans-speaking upbringing and South Africa’s apartheid-era history.
Others have resurfaced older interviews in which Theron reflected on her childhood, fuelling fresh accusations of hypocrisy, such as the 2019 NPR Fresh Air interview (originally Dec 2019, rebroadcast 2020), where she compares polarizing politics in the US to apartheid South Africa.
Netizens are not showing mercy
Fans feel the entire facade feels performative. As we can see from one of the users on X(formerly Twitter) writing, “Adopting Black kids then turning them into girls? This is peak Hollywood racism disguised as progress.”
She has to have deep hatred to do something so horrid. Those kids should just be KIDS!
— Clerpatriot (@clerpatriot) July 17, 2026
Another commented, “Charlize talks about apartheid but dresses her sons in frocks. Make it make sense.”
Charlize Theron is a hateful woman. Why didn’t she just adopt Girls if she wanted Girls. This will not end well for these boys. Star Power? Yuck. America 🇺🇸. https://t.co/TMUOXF5x2K
— Fantaesia (@IAmFantaesia) July 17, 2026
A critic wrote, “As a South African, this feels like white savior complex on steroids.”
Just makes me sad for those boys
— Tabatha (@TabathaR81407) July 17, 2026
A viral reply noted, “She left SA over racism but imported American racial politics into her own home. Hypocrite.”
Did Charlize Theron say she was leaving the US over racism?
In short, yes, interestingly, the Oscar-winning actress has previously spoken candidly about racism in the United States and the challenges of raising her two Black daughters as a white mother.
I was under the impression Charlize Theron was leaving the US because of the racist Americans targeting her black kids. Yet she’s still here and in Texas of all places!
— Dadbodbaboon (@dadb0dbab00n) November 16, 2024
Drawing from her own experiences growing up during South Africa’s apartheid era, Charlize Theron has also shared concerns about racial inequality and systemic issues in America. However, she has never announced plans to permanently leave the country.
What is Charlize Theron’s stance on race?
The Odyssey actress has consistently described herself as someone committed to fighting racism, often drawing on her experiences growing up in apartheid-era South Africa.
Vivan Viva Charlize for speaking the truth. 💫💫💫👌👌👌Charlize Theron on apartheid: ‘I benefited because of my right skin colour’ https://t.co/gWfJpnXyQ2
— Golden Rasi (@GoldenRasi3) November 20, 2022
Notably, during the 2019 Variety / GEANCO event with David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron also spoke about the importance of ensuring her two Black daughters are surrounded by strong Black role models while openly navigating conversations around identity and even hair care.
Acknowledging that she doesn’t have all the answers as a white mother, the Oscar winner has repeatedly said she believes in listening and creating space for her children to embrace their heritage.
The facts behind Charlize Theron’s children’s adoptions
The North Country actress has always been open about her journey to motherhood through adoption.
While Jackson was initially introduced to the public as a boy, Theron revealed in 2019 that Jackson had told her at the age of three, “I am not a boy,” and has since been raised as a girl. August is her younger daughter.
Charlize Theron’s role in The Odyssey
In Christopher Nolan’s latest Greek mythology epic, released in theatres on July 17, 2026, Charlize Theron takes on the role of Calypso, the mythical sea nymph who keeps Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, on the island of Ogygia for seven years.
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