Is a Clap Back Always Necessary?

“I think the reaction is largely from people who don’t understand the context of the piece — the fact that I created the role and workshopped it for three years. Were I not to do the movie, it probably wouldn’t get made.”

These were the words of Ben Platt, the lead actor of “Dear Evan Hansen” (2015–2017), in a “Zach Sang Show” podcast interview. The context? People were criticizing the play’s film adaptation for casting Ben Platt, then 27-year-old, as the titular 17-year-old Evan Hansen.

Many noticed there may have been a reason for it. His father, who produced several blockbuster films, like “Legally Blonde”, “La La Land” and more, was one of the movie's producers.

So in the end, in responding to the criticisms, he only confirmed them.

How can one avoid this mistake?

Before responding to a controversy centering on you, here are three questions you should ask yourself. Here’s how Ben Platt or the film’s producers could’ve responded if he did so.

Can you do anything to change it?

The movie producers could take the Johnson & Johnson Tylenol recall path, which in this case would be to recast Platt with a lesser-known, equally talented actor. Maybe even have Ben Platt serve as a mentor to the actor.

Of course, by the time the interview came in July 2021, productions were already wrapped up by December 2020. Doing the recasting could force the cast to do a reshooting, adding more to the film’s $27–28 million budget. 

So if you can’t take action without significant costs, there’s one less costly action that Ben Platt ended up taking. This brings us to our next question.

Can you respond to the criticisms?

As one can see, Ben tried to focus on his performance and how much the role meant to him. It didn't work.

Ben could have responded again, perhaps posting an Instagram reel or arranging a TV appearance where he acknowledges the criticisms as understandable. But any response after would likely be seen as defensive or transparent PR spins.

So, if one can’t take action or respond to the controversy, there’s one last question, the most important one.

Is it affecting your bottom line?

The 'nepotism baby’ discourse has been happening for a while, beginning in the early 2010s, just shortening to “nepo baby” starting in the new 2020s. But remember, online discourse doesn’t equal action. You wouldn’t find #BoycottNepotism on Twitter or articles with headlines like “Tired of Nepotism? Support These Lesser-Known Actors Instead.”

If anything, the nepotism accusations against Platt and his response hurt his personal reputation more than the box office numbers. So if you’re in a no-win situation like Platt found himself, here’s what to do.

Stay silent.

When even perfect PR can’t fix a situation, the least you can do is avoid adding fuel to the fire and tying yourself to it as much as possible.

Bio: Giancarlo Picanco is a junior at California State University currently working for the student-run Agency 398. With his passion for using the right words to reach the right audiences, he wrote eye-catching summary blurbs and selected clips for Institute of World Podcast’s Africa podcast series during his internship there. On top of that, Giancarlo rearranged and set up events for the college’s Deaf CSUNians club, bringing in people for their annual Spring Banquet and Halloween Party. All to one day to become a Director of Communications for a cause where people need help in their lives, but don’t know where to find it.