Mary-Jane Watson in Spider-Man 2.
Screenshot by Destructoid.

Spider-Man 2’s MJ face model speaks out about harassment from fans

Separating the art from the artist.

Stephanie Tyler Jones, who provided the face likeness for Mary Jane Watson in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, is speaking out about fans who have “crossed boundaries” over the character.

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As she explains in an Instagram message, she appreciates the positive responses she’s received over the years. However, certain fans have crossed the line, with some going so far as to call her workplace and attempt to speak to her.

Upon hearing all the voicemails, she “immediately felt unsafe and uncomfortable.” Though it should need no explaining, she highlights that while she may be the face behind a cultural icon, she is still “a human being trying to make a living just like you.”

She also highlights that her skincare page isn’t for Spider-Man or MJ fans. She asks fans to not cross boundaries, informs everyone that messages will not be answered, and you can expect to be blocked if she feels uncomfortable.

It’s worth noting that she had no longer been an actively auditioning actor or model before the incident. The roles she accepts are only creative outlets for herself and with friends.

Jones joins an unfortunately long list of actors who have found themselves harassed following their gaming fame. This includes Laura Bailey who received threats towards her and her family after her performance as Abby in The Last of Us Part 2.


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Image of Smangaliso Simelane
Smangaliso Simelane
Staff Writer - Smangaliso Simelane is a writer with a passion for all things related to video games. He has been writing about video games since 2020.