Reporter speaks out after viral Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri interview

Federica Polidoro, the Italian journalist who conducted a promotional interview with Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri, is facing intense scrutiny after a clip from their appearance went viral. The exchange, recorded while the cast promoted their upcoming film After the Hunt, ignited criticism that Polidoro excluded Edebiri from a politically charged question.

The journalist asked Roberts and Garfield whether Hollywood had moved on from the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements, and what had been lost in what she described as the politically correct era. Viewers online quickly noted that the question appeared to bypass Edebiri, who sat alongside her co-stars, sparking accusations of bias and racism.

Social media users circulated the clip widely, accusing Polidoro of deliberately sidelining Edebiri. The backlash was swift, with calls for accountability and demands for more respectful treatment of actors of colour during interviews. The debate escalated to the point that Polidoro issued a lengthy public statement in an attempt to clarify her position.

On Instagram, she insisted her question was misinterpreted and that she did not intend to exclude Edebiri. She described herself as multi ethnic and feminist, saying her work has always reflected a commitment to equality and professional journalism. Polidoro also stressed that difficult questions are part of her role and should not automatically be equated with malice.

Despite her explanation, criticism has not eased. Many online continue to share the interview as evidence of deeper problems within the entertainment industry and the press that covers it. Polidoro, meanwhile, has said she has received hateful messages and cyberbullying since the clip went viral, portraying herself as a victim of misrepresentation.

As the fallout spreads, the incident has raised broader questions about how journalists frame sensitive cultural conversations and whether reporters should shoulder responsibility for who they choose to involve. For Polidoro, the moment has become a defining one, as her professional integrity is publicly questioned while the internet continues to dissect her every word.