Florence Pugh has hit back at 'cyberbullies' who have left 'abusive' messages criticising her relationship with Zach Braff, in a lengthy post pleading for kindness.
Earlier this week, Pugh shared a picture of the former Scrubs actor - who she is believed to have been dating for around a year - to wish him a Happy 45th Birthday. The couple have been self-isolating together and have reportedly fostered a puppy together too, who could be seen in the photo with Braff.
However, on Wednesday, Pugh returned to Instagram via video to discuss the 'abuse' she received immediately after posting the tribute to her boyfriend, saying she was forced to turn the comments off for the first time on her account due to the intensity of the 'horrid' remarks.
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Explaining that she had 'wrestled' with the decision of whether to post this video, the Little Women star said she had done so for her own peace of mind.
'Within about eight minutes of the photo being posted, I had about 70% of the comments hurling abuse and being horrid and basically bullying someone on my page,' the 24-year-old said.
'I have never been an Instagram page that encourages that, or that likes that toxic vibe. I have only tried to be an Instagram page that brings some light, tries to be positive and tries to make people smile.
'I will not allow that behaviour on my page. I'm not about that. It makes me upset and sad that during this time when we really all need to be together and supporting and loving one another... a few of you decided to bully for no reason,' the star said firmly.
Pugh then expanded on her relationship for one of the first times, stating that she is 24 years old, has been working and earning money since the age of 17 and paying taxes from the age of 18 and can make her own decisions when it comes to relationships.
'I'll underline this fact,' Pugh said boldly. 'I do not need you to tell me who I should and should not love and I would never in my life who they can and cannot love. It is not your place and really it has nothing to do with you.
'If those rules are something that you do not like then please unfollow me because the abuse that you throw at him is abuse you are throwing at me and I don't want those followers.'
Pugh said she doesn't want to be 'protecting' comments every time she decides to post a picture of her partner and wants to be able to continue a healthy social media relationship with fans.
'I don't want this on my page, it's embarrassing, it's sad and I don't know when cyberbullying became trendy or a points system. I don't know why it's a cool thing.'
The Oscar-nominated actor was instantly supported by followers, including Ariana Grande who after saying she 'loves and appreciates' Pugh, joked that she is going to add 'being hateful is not trendy' to her growing tattoo collection.
This is the second time Pugh has responded to criticism over her and Braff's 21-year age gap, though this time in a lot more detail, depth and honesty.
At the end of last year, when Braff commented on a picture of Pugh outside Greenblatt's Deli in Los Angeles, a follower wrote: 'You're 44 years old', to which Pugh hit back with: 'and yet he got it'.
Pugh's message couldn't have been any clearer to her followers, signing off the 3 minute 42 second video - which she filmed make-up free on lockdown with 'spot stickers and all' - by asking anyone who disagrees with what she has said to 'kindly unfollow me'.
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Olivia Blair is Entertainment Editor (Luxury) at Hearst UK, working across ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over the years.
