Tomi Adeyemi details trauma of Children of Blood and Bone

Author Tomi Adeyemi has described the film adaptation of her novel Children of Blood and Bone as the worst experience of her life. In a recent TikTok video and interview, she detailed the trauma of the production process, which caused her panic attacks and severe physical pain.

Adeyemi posted a TikTok video in late July calling the adaptation process 'the worst thing I have ever had to live through'. She said she left the set hyperventilating and sobbing. After returning to America following the completion of principal photography, she suffered severe somatic pain and many panic attacks.

Her relationship with co-star Amandla Stenberg fractured during production

In a since-deleted TikTok video, Adeyemi shared screenshots of a group chat with actress Amandla Stenberg. In the messages, Adeyemi told Stenberg not to ever use her name in an interview or video again, not to text her, and not to call her. Adeyemi alleged in the video that she was still being antagonized behind the scenes. Stenberg is mixed race.

Adeyemi has disengaged completely from the film and refuses to engage with it

Adeyemi stated she does not plan to watch the upcoming film adaptation. She said she never wants to hear about the project again and will not disclose specifics of what happened on set. When asked about clarifying details regarding Stenberg’s casting, Adeyemi responded that with a film, the director makes every decision. She contrasted this with her book, where she can talk about every choice down to the commas. She added that there is nothing for her to add, other than the clarity that the film's choices are not her own.

The film adaptation of the 2018 fantasy novel is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. It features an all-star cast.

Adeyemi stated that she understood that if she didn’t speak up, she couldn’t move forward. She said she can’t really worry about the response, because she doesn’t have to live with how people respond to her, she has to live with herself, every day. She described the whole journey of the trilogy and the adaptation as biblical, saying it took all of her. Despite the ordeal, she said she is proud of her strength, resilience, and grace.

She can now walk into a bookshop and see shelves of dark-skinned protagonists across fantasy, romance, thrillers, and mysteries.