Tomi Adeyemi, the author behind the popular young adult fantasy novel "Children of Blood and Bone," has expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the upcoming film adaptation, stating it has been "the worst thing [she's] ever had to live through." Adeyemi has taken to social media, particularly TikTok, to distance herself from the project, which is slated for a January premiere and boasts a star-studded cast including Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, and Idris Elba.
In a recent video, Adeyemi detailed experiencing "severe somatic pain" and panic attacks as a result of her experiences with the film's production. She claims that while individuals at "the highest level" of the project were informed of the issues, no action was taken. This follows a previous, now-deleted video in which she announced she was "officially separating [her] name" from the film and shared a screenshot of a text message allegedly sent to actor Amandla Stenberg in 2025, instructing her not to use Adeyemi's name in interviews.
While Adeyemi has told fans it is acceptable for them to see the movie, she emphasized that she was being "hurt and attacked behind the scenes" and needed to separate herself. The author hopes her latest video will serve as her final statement on the matter, asserting her desire to move on.
The exact nature of the conflict remains unclear, with Adeyemi citing potential legal and personal ramifications if she were to name specific individuals or events. This situation arises amidst a complex history with the adaptation, which faced accusations of colorism during the initial casting announcement. Stenberg, who was cast in a leading role, had previously defended her casting, stating Adeyemi wanted her for the part. The details of how this led to Adeyemi's current stance, including the alleged text message to Stenberg, are not fully illuminated.
Adeyemi's public statements come as she prepares to promote her new book, "The Siren," scheduled for release on September 26. Fans in the comments have voiced a desire for more specific information, but Adeyemi appears committed to separating her public persona from the "Children of Blood and Bone" film due to the distress it has caused her.