Capcom released its Resident Evil 4 remake last month, and while the developer managed to get many things right in its re-imagining of the 2005 survival horror classic, some of the more outspoken fans out there seem to believe that it failed at finding the right voice actress for one of the franchise’s most popular characters. Lily Gao, the actress who cameoed as Ada Wong in Welcome to Racoon City, 2021’s critically panned Resident Evil movie, was chosen by Capcom to reprise her role as the Asian spy and Leon’s rival/love interest for the RE4 remake, but a lot of players are saying that she did an awful job, claiming that she didn’t do much more than read off a page based on her performance, which has been described as boring and soulless. One player even claimed that Capcom “found some last minute hooker off the street and had her record the lines through a Walmart mic,” prompting Gao to wipe her Instagram feed, leaving a single post titled “the role of privilege.”
From a Lily Gao Instagram post:
The Role of Privilege: For many members of the majority culture (i.e., those who identify as White) in the States, being made aware of one’s classification as linked to privilege is likely not a common or welcomed experience. Indeed, many people have never been asked or required to reflect on their own privileged status, and in regards to racial identity, doing so might feel uncomfortable or even discordant with the common narrative regarding social and political changes over the years. For example, White Americans may attach the concepts of progress toward equality or “color blind” as mitigating privilege. As a result, many White Americans either may not be aware of or may avoid considering how simply being White confers special status or potentially to the detriment of others. While many Americans may not view themselves as privileged because of their economic or social status, the advantage of being in the majority racial group is real, even if often hidden.
y’all always take things way too far.. pic.twitter.com/WIJGcVMYNS
— . (@alicunts) April 1, 2023
what's happening with ada's VA in resident evil 4 (2023) is beyond unacceptable. everyone has opinions according to their own experience, but going to her social media (and even past VAs of the character) to offend her is sickening and deplorable.
— ada wong archives. (@archiveadawong) April 2, 2023
respect lily gao and her work. pic.twitter.com/VxByjojlME