Children of Blood and Bone author exposes brutal messages to Amandla Stenberg after fallout

The author behind Children of Blood and Bone has revealed a brutal text exchange with one of the film’s lead stars and says she has no plans to watch the movie adaptation of her own book.

Tomi Adeyemi has publicly distanced herself from Paramount’s upcoming adaptation of her bestselling fantasy novel, despite previously being involved with the project as an executive producer and co-writer alongside director Gina Prince-Bythewood.

Over the weekend, the author posted a series of TikToks explaining why she’d stayed silent about the film, before sharing screenshots of messages exchanged with actress Amandla Stenberg.

“There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That’s all,” Adeyemi wrote.

She later added: “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.”

@tomi.adeyemi ✨🐉 for everyone’s who’s been asking – i’m answering this question once and for all. #childrenofbloodandbone #tomiadeyemi #booktok #blackbooktok ♬ original sound – shaalo_

One of the screenshots showed an apparent text conversation dated February 2025. In it, Stenberg allegedly wrote: “My only hope was to reconnect as human beings.”

Adeyemi’s reply was blunt.

“Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.”

The screenshot appeared to show that Stenberg had then been blocked.

According to the timestamp on the messages, the exchange happened around the same time Stenberg shared a now-deleted TikTok addressing criticism over her casting as Princess Amari. In the video, she said Adeyemi had personally supported her taking on the role.

The fallout is especially surprising given how warmly the pair had spoken about each other before.

Last year, Stenberg told Blavity about meeting Adeyemi for the first time, describing it as an emotional conversation.

She said: “[Tomi] goes, ‘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.’ We just started crying, and I said to myself, ‘God wants me here!'”

Adeyemi, who published Children of Blood and Bone in 2018, reportedly secured a seven-figure deal for the screen rights before the novel was even released. She also previously shared behind-the-scenes videos from the set with her TikTok followers and even filmed a cameo appearance.

@tomi.adeyemi and did i mention there’s a brand new book coming out next year ✨💅🏾✨ #booktok #tomiadeyemi #childrenofbloodandbone #writingtips ♬ Original sound – user18786667805

The fantasy film stars Stenberg as Princess Amari alongside Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole and Damson Idris. The cast also includes Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King and Lashana Lynch.

Despite her early involvement in bringing the novel to the screen, Adeyemi has now made it clear she won’t be promoting the adaptation, or even watching it.

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Featured image credit: Ron Adar/Shutterstock, Tom Nicholson/Shutterstock