Tomi Adeyemi Declines to Promote Film Adaptation of 'Children of Blood and Bone,' Reveals Rift With Star Amandla Stenberg

Author Tomi Adeyemi has made clear she will not be championing the upcoming film version of her bestselling novel "Children of Blood and Bone," and tensions appear to exist between her and the project's leading star, Amandla Stenberg, who plays Princess Amari.

Adeyemi, who co-wrote the screenplay alongside director Gina Prince-Bythewood, shared messages on social media explaining her decision to stay silent about the adaptation. "There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That's all," she wrote in one post.

In subsequent messages, she elaborated: "And lastly since someone asked – I have not seen the film, and I will not watch it. It's been painful holding this back from you all. … And I'm sorry if any of you thought I didn't care about US. More than any glitter."

Adeyemi then shared a screenshot of what appears to be a direct message, allegedly sent to Stenberg in February 2025, stating: "Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me." The message indicates the sender has been blocked from further contact.

The timing coincides with when Stenberg addressed criticism about her casting, posting a TikTok in which she described meeting Adeyemi for the first time. In that video, Stenberg recalled the author telling her: "Amandla, I want you to know that when you were a little girl and were cast as Rue in The Hunger Games, and you had these racist remarks thrown at you because people said that Rue's death wouldn't be as sad because you're a Black girl… that inspired me to write this series, so that Black girls like you and Black girls of all shades could have a story written about them."

The film adaptation arrives in January 2027 with an ensemble cast that includes Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, and Viola Davis.