Actress Evan Rachel Wood Faces Backlash for Calling Kobe Bryant a ‘Rapist’ Hours After His Death

Activist actress Evan Rachel Wood faced a backlash on Monday, after calling Kobe Bryant a “rapist” in the hours after the NBA star tragically died in a helicopter crash.

Wood was lambasted by fans who were aghast that she would bring up past accusations of rape lodged against the player just as the nation tries to come to terms with his death.

“What has happened is tragic. I am heartbroken for Kobe’s family. He was a sports hero. He was also a rapist. And all of these truths can exist simultaneously,” Wood tweeted Sunday only hours after the media reported the player’s death.

The Westworld star was alluding to the accusation of rape that was pressed against Bryant 17 years ago.

Back in 2003, the NBA superstar was accused of rape by a 19-year-old hotel employee who said Bryant sexually assaulted her at The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Colorado. Bryant ultimately faced no prosecution when the case was dropped because police found the DNA of another man in the accuser’s underwear. A civil case dragged on until 2005 when the player settled for an undisclosed amount.

But fans were incensed that Wood used her note about the player’s death to dredge up the accusations against him. The liberal actress’s Twitter feed bristled with condemnation.

Federal court clears California’s new House map boosting Democrats ahead of 2026 midterms

Protesters clash with federal officers after another ICE shooting in Minneapolis

Hochul endorses legislation to allow New Yorkers to sue ICE agents: ‘Power does not justify abuse’

Mamdani housing czar called ‘White, middle-class homeowners’ a ‘huge problem’ during 2021 podcast appearance

Parents erupt into massive brawl during Catholic youth basketball game in Staten Island

ICE agent shoots Venezuelan national in Minneapolis after shovel attack during ambush: DHS

Taxpayer-funded Minnesota charter school shuts down in-person learning amid ICE raids

Top federal Minnesota prosecutors officially terminated after dispute over ICE shooting probe

House GOP revisits Biden handling of Jan. 6 with new panel

‘It’s Stopping’: Trump Makes Major Claim About Deadly Iranian Protests

DHS exposes background of NYC city council employee after Mamdani fumed over arrest

PHOTOS: Here Are 5 of the Worst, Most Evil Illegals that ICE Officer Ross Was Working to Arrest When Renee Good Tried to Murder Him

Key Republicans flip, kill effort to restrain Trump’s policing power over Venezuela

Top Iranian official downplays death toll, blames ‘Israeli plot’ as US considers strikes

Hawley, Moody react after heated Senate abortion hearing exchange: ‘Can men get pregnant?’

In fact, the condemnation became so heavy, by Monday afternoon Wood put her account on “protected” status so that people not already followed by the actress can no longer see them.

Despite, the move to hide her tweets, multiple outlets had already reported on the opposition she faced over her tweet.

Page Six, for instance, noted that Twitter user Catherine (Kathleen) Curtin scolded the actress, writing, “And this is where the MeToo movement has gotten out of control… attacking a man who literally just died less than 24 hours ago, with his little girl!”

Twitter user Wes Hatton, accused Wood of turning #MeToo into a joke, adding, “These things need to be taken seriously and your [sic] just looking for attention after him, and his daughter JUST died. Wow.”

Actress Kyla Pratt noted that she loves Wood’s work but slammed her for the tweet. “But this tweet? How f–king dare you?” she wrote.

For her part, Wood tried to take a step back and explain her original message

“Beloveds,” she wrote in explanation, “this was not a condemnation or a celebration. It was a reminder that everyone will have different feelings, and there is room for us all to grieve together instead of fighting, everyone has lost.”