Online chatter from the now-viral interview between Ayo Edebiri and an Italian reporter at the Venice Film Festival 2025 is still going strong. And now, the reporter herself is defending her line of questioning–but in the worst way possible.
Suggested Reading
For context, we previously told you that while doing press for her new film “After the Hunt,” in which Edebiri costars with Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield, “The Bear” actress was excluded from a question regarding the #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter movements.
Specifically, Garfield and Roberts were asked: “Now that the Me Too era and the Black Lives Matter are done, what do we have to expect in Hollywood and what we lost, if we lost something with the political era?”
Noting her exclusion, Edebiri then jumped in before Roberts or Garfield responded and said that while she was curious as to why that question wasn’t aimed at her too, she explained that those movements weren’t over –they just aren’t getting daily coverage the same way they were years prior. She also stressed that there was “important” and beautiful work being done by activists to this day and that it was necessary given how charged society is in this current moment.
Naturally, once the interaction hit the internet, folks were swift to call out the reporter for the odd line of questioning and exclusion of Edebiri. Now, though the reporter is speaking out and defending herself from all the negativity.
The Italian reporter, Federica Polidoro from ArtsLife TV, hopped on Instagram on Monday to reveal that since her interview went viral, she’s been subjected to online bullying and harassment. She also went on to urge people to focus on Edebiri and the cast’s “thoughtful responses” rather than how she posed the question.
“I have been subjected to personal insults and attacks because of a question that, for some reason, was not well received by some members of the public,” she began. “I find it striking that those who unjustly accuse me of racism and consider themselves custodians of justice find acceptable violent language, personal attacks, and cyberbullying.”
Things took yet another left turn when Polidoro revealed that she herself comes from a “multi-ethnic, matriarchal, and feminist” family and pushed back on the people who were alleging that what she did had racist undertones.
“In my view, the real racists are those who see racism everywhere and seek to muzzle journalism, limiting freedom of analysis, critical thinking, and the plurality of perspectives,” she said.
She concluded: “Journalism’s role is to ask questions, even on delicate topics, with respect and responsibility. I will not tolerate or accept defamatory or violent language, and I reserve the right to seek legal protection against those who, in recent days, have chosen to hide behind the digital mob to insult and attack me instead of seeking a civil and constructive discussion.”
As you would expect, others took to the comments section to let her know that her “official statement” once again missed the mark, just like her question.
“That was terrible and this post makes it even worse, sorry,” one user wrote bluntly on Instagram.
“Julia Roberts literally threw you a lifeline to repeat the question, in order to fix your folly. But you doubled down on your deliberate bigotry and exclusion of Ayo. If you say your family is multi-ethnic then they are clearly in trouble with you as family,” said another.
Added one other user: “Your lack of accountability is nauseating. You asked a question that expressly concerned and addressed people of colour yet you purposefully chose to not ask the only woman of colour sitting in front of you. Own it, apologise and do better.”
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.