Overview

• Simone Ashley’s character was originally scripted with a full arc but was cut to a brief non-speaking cameo during post-production to trim the film’s runtime.
• She walked the red carpet on June 23 at Leicester Square’s Cineworld in London wearing a sculptural gold Balmain peplum gown.
• Director Joseph Kosinski told People that multiple storylines, including Ashley’s, were excised and praised her talent and professionalism.
• Social media users rallied behind Ashley, applauding her grace on the red carpet and criticizing a broader trend of sidelining actors of color.
• F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt as veteran driver Sonny Hayes and Damson Idris as rookie Joshua Pearce, is set to release in theaters on June 27.