Who is Federica Polidoro? Viral Ayo Edebiri interviewer breaks silence after cringeworthy TIFF interaction

After the Hunt co-stars Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield recently became the subjects of a viral on-camera interview moment. Post their involvement in the Luca Guadagnino-helmed psychological thriller, the acting trio made headlines for a now-trending interaction with Italian journalist Federica Polidoro at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The contentious moment particularly gained massive numbers on social media as Polidoro appeared to intentionally skip over The Bear‘s breakout star over a question relating to what the film industry “lost” during its “politically correct era,” given the emergence of movements like ‘#MeToo’ and ‘Black Lives Matter.’

The Italian interviewer hadn’t even finished speaking as the camera caught the trio’s facial expressions changing. Federica went on to ask them, “…and what we have to expect in Hollywood after the ‘#MeToo’ movement and the ‘Black Live Matters’ are done?”

What quickly stood out as an awkward interjection here was that Polidoro specifically addressed the question to The Amazing Spider-Man star and Julia Roberts. Netizens have since dragged the concerned journalist for being “unprofessional,” while the three actors have been praised for one thing or the other for sophisticatedly acting in accordance with the awkward situation.

Italian journalist Federica Polidoro speaks out after viral interview about Me Too, Black Lives Matter comments

Addressing all the criticism headed her way in light of the interview shared last week, Polidoro has finally broken her silence on the issue. Sharing a statement on Sunday, she directed focus to how she had been subjected to “personal insults and attacks because of a question that, for some reason, was not well receive by some members of the public.”

The interviewer directly responded to accusations of her “racist” attitude towards Edebiri, saying, ” I would like to clarify that in my work I have interviewed people of every background and ethnicity, and my own family is multi-ethnic, matriarchal, and feminist, with a significant history of immigration.” Through her statement shared on Instagram, Federica said that the Internet was more focussed on dragging the contentious discussion instead of the “thoughtful responses of Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.”

Dismissing claims of racism, she asserted all responses shared by the trio were “reported in full in the published interview,” and neither actor’s answer was omitted.

The Italian reporter continued, “I have collaborated for over twenty years with numerous national and international publications of all political orientations, always approaching my work with openness and professional rigor. In my view, the real racists are those who see racism everywhere and seek to muzzle journalism, limiting freedom of analysis, critical thinking, and the plurality of perspectives.”

Before signing off, Federica firmly foregrounded that she wouldn’t be tolerating any defamatory or violent language directed at her. ” I reserve the right to seek legal protection against those who, in recent days, have chosen to hide behind the digital mob to insult and attack me instead of seeking a civil and constructive discussion,” she warned, adding, “Journalism’s role is to ask questions, even on delicate topics, with respect and responsibility.”

Despite the lengthy response to the backlash, comments against what some have labelled as Polidoro’s “egregious blunder” have only further intensified instead of dying down.

What more do we know about Federica Polidoro?

The now-infamously viral interviewer is a self-proclaimed film journalist and analyst, according to her Instagram bio. Her official profile on the Golden Globes website further details that she has extensive experience in the film and audiovisual media field.

Having studied broadcast journalism at the New York Film Academy, Polidoro holds a master’s degree in film and audiovisual history, theory, and criticism. During her time at the institution, she remained under the guidance of three-time Emmy-winning TV producer Bill Einreinhofer.

Given her expertise in the arena, the video reporter has been in the showbiz since 2001. Over the years, she has stepped up as a contributor and correspondent for countless events across the globe, including the Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Marrakech and Berlin Film Festivals.

Additionally, she has collaborated with publications like Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Repubblica, XL, L’Espresso, Il Sole 24 Ore, and Il Magazine, among others. She’s even held ties with new agencies like Askanews and institutions like the International Cinephile Society. On top of being an international voted for the Golden Globes since 2021, she even emerged as a professor in publishing for fashion and entertainment at the National Academy of Fine Arts.

What happened: Viral Ayo Edebiri interview question during Toronto International Film Festival

Without a second thought, Andrew fully turned to face his colleagues, even more so towards Edebiri. The Notting Hill actress, on her part, instantly intervened to comment, “Can you repeat that? With your sunglasses on, I can’t tell which of us you’re talking to.” Cinephiles particularly hailed Roberts for the latter part of her response, viewing it as a snide jab at the interviewer.

Reiterating herself, Polidoro insisted that the question was for “Julia and Andrew,” as she added, “Now that the ‘Me Too era and ‘Black Live Matters are done, what we have to expect in Hollywood and what we lost, if we lost something with the politically correct era?” Without actually dropping the word “woke” during the interaction, the journalist popped the big question to the actors, specifically turned away from Ayo Edebiri, who shares both Nigerian and Barbadian roots.

A strained smile flashed on her face, as she raised her hand on the side and attempted to speak up, while Roberts proclaimed, “it’s not done,” in reference to the movements being perennially relevant.

Edebiri, who is now being hailed for “gracefully” handling the situation, said, “I’m sorry. I know that’s not for me, and I don’t know if it’s purposeful it’s not for me, but I’m just curious. I don’t think it’s done.” Speaking out in support of the ‘Me Too’ and ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaigns, she explained, “I think maybe hashtags might not be used as much, but I think there’s work being done by activists, by people everyday, that’s beautiful, important that’s not finished.”

Edebiri continued, “That’s really really active for a reason because this world is really charged and that work isn’t finished at all.” Both Roberts and Garfield backed her on this, as she highlighted, “Maybe there’s like not mainstream coverage in the way that there might have been… daily headlines in the way that it might have been eight or so years ago. But I don’t think that it means that the work is done.”

The Spider-Man star added to the conversation, pitching in that the movements had in no way been halted, as they were still very much alive regardless of how much they were being amplified in media headlines or on social media.

The Hollywood trio’s film After the Hunt rolls out in theatres on October 10, 2025.