[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Dani Bowman has THOUGHTS on the modern trend of using the R-word.
On Friday, the Love on the Spectrum star aired out her qualms with Euphoria and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s recent careless use of the R-word. For those who haven’t been watching Euphoria, the slur has been used in four of five of season 3’s episodes currently out — including most recently by Sydney Sweeney!
“well, you sound like a democrat”
cassie in euphoria: “i’m not retarded” pic.twitter.com/JBSdjLycUo— ؘ (@rhaenyrarchives) May 11, 2026
And Dani is NOT impressed with how casually it’s being re-integrated into pop culture. She told TMZ over the weekend:
“We worked too hard for inclusion and acceptance to normalize the ‘R-word’ again. As someone on the Autism spectrum, it’s honestly painful to watch this language become socially acceptable in pop culture. That word has been used for decades to bully, humiliate and dehumanize neurodiverse people. And bringing it back like it’s ‘edgy’ or ‘funny’ — it’s not progress, it’s a step backward. We spent years trying to educate people that these words hurt real human beings. And representation means nothing if respect disappears the second people think it’s trendy to mock disability again.”
Say it louder!
Katy Neas, Ceo of The Arc of the United States, noted in an op-ed published for Teen Vogue on Wednesday:
“That’s just the start of the real harm Euphoria overlooks by treating the R-word like casual slang. Some people will say this is just how people talk now. That’s exactly the problem. Pop culture helps decide what’s normal enough to repeat. When Euphoria folds the R-word into ordinary dialogue week after week, it’s not just reflecting culture, it’s helping to shape it.”
As for The Rock’s recent use of the slur at Netflix’s Roast of Kevin Hart, Dani told TMZ:
“I respect Dwayne Johnson and everything he’s accomplished, but using the R-word even in a joke or skit is disappointing. Words like that have a real impact because they’ve been used for years to mock and tear down people with disabilities and neurodiverse individuals.”
Related: Sydney Sweeney’s Euphoria Adult Entertainment Storyline SHREDDED By NSFW Creators
In case you haven’t seen it for yourself, The Rock took aim at NBA star Draymond Green in a raunchy joke where he dropped the slur:
“Draymond is in the house, my guy! Hey, Draymond, that’s your name, right? That’s my boy. I was thinking about this, you know, of all the cool-ass Black names you could have, that is the laziest f**king Black name I’ve ever heard. Because all you did was put a D in front of Raymond. Yeah. It’s f**king [R-word]. And on top of all that, your [R-word] name, your team got bounced from the playoffs. So, so, I’m just saying, because you’re my boy and I love you, maybe it’s time to retire. I’m sorry, to dretire.”
The Rock went after Draymond Green at The Roast of Kevin Hart ???? #KevinHartRoast pic.twitter.com/CIdNXqTvLs
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) May 11, 2026
Yikes…
Dani continued:
“We’ve made a lot of progress when it comes to inclusion and awareness, so seeing that kind of language come back into mainstream entertainment feels like a step backward. Comedy can still be funny without targeting a community that has fought hard to be respected.”
Good on Dani for speaking out! This is NOT something that should be normalized!
What are your thoughts, Perezcious readers??
To learn more about autism and people’s lived experiences, check out The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
[Images via Netflix/YouTube & HBO/HBO Max]
