Bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi has shared an emotional account of her negative experiences during the filming of her novel "Children of Blood and Bone"'s movie adaptation. In a TikTok video posted on Wednesday, Adeyemi described the conditions as "miserable," stating that those involved at the highest levels were aware of her struggles but did not intervene.
Adeyemi, the author of the popular young adult fantasy novel, indicated that her difficulties extended beyond the writing process for the adaptation. She recounted leaving the set "hyperventilating and sobbing," with multiple witnesses to the events. The author stated that the undisclosed hardships led her to experience "severe somatic pain and so many panic attacks" that she knew she would not be able to watch the film.
While Adeyemi did not name specific individuals in the video, she later called out lead actress Amandla Stenberg in a since-deleted TikTok. Adeyemi posted a screenshot of a text message to Stenberg reading, "Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me." Stenberg, in a message included in Adeyemi's video, had expressed a desire to "reconnect as human beings" before the author sent the text and subsequently blocked Stenberg.
Adeyemi also alluded to director Gina Prince-Bythewood, stating, "I do not have anything to say about the people who made it. I do not care anymore." Adeyemi co-wrote the screenplay for the film with Prince-Bythewood, but it remains unclear if creative differences led to the conflict.
Commenters on Adeyemi's video expressed frustration with her perceived lack of transparency, with one user writing, "Tomi, we don’t know what happened between you, Paramount, the director, or the actors. But if you want our support, be clear with us. Either open up fully about what’s going on, or don’t say anything at all."
Adeyemi indicated that the ongoing marketing of the film and continued behind-the-scenes antagonization prompted her to speak out. "It’s become apparent to me that reality needs to at least be made known," she stated. She emphasized that while she worked to make the film "a little better for us to be alive," it was also "the worst thing I have ever had to live through."
The author also stated that she has not seen the film and "will not watch it." She urged her fans to support her by purchasing her books, including editions from independent bookstores, rather than engaging with the film adaptation. Adeyemi concluded by apologizing if her silence led fans to believe she did not care about them, stating, "And I’m sorry if any of you thought I didn’t care about US. More than any glitter."