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Luke Perry's daughter slams trolls for grief-shaming her: 'I'm not going to sit in my room and cry' every day

Luke Perry with his 18-year-old daughter, Sophie. (Photo: Sophia Perry via Instagram)
Luke Perry with his 18-year-old daughter, Sophie. (Photo: Sophia Perry via Instagram)

Luke Perry‘s teenage daughter, Sophie, has a message for haters who are criticizing her on social media: Back off. Sophie, 18, has been the target of trolls who have commented on everything from her appearance to how she is publicly grieving the loss of her father. The Beverly Hills, 90210 star died one week ago after a massive stroke.

“Since my dad died I have received a lot of attention online. And most of it has been positive, but of course, some people just can’t be nice,” Sophia began in an Instagram post Monday. “And I’m here to say that I did not ask for this attention, I did not ask to be thrown into some virtual spotlight, and while I don’t mean to offend anybody, I’m also not going to cater to any one else’s needs and beliefs.”

She continued: “I’m 18. I swear like a sailor and sometimes I dress like a hooker. And I support causes and you may not. And most importantly. I am going to laugh and smile and live my normal life. YES I am hurt and sad and crying and beside myself with what happened to my dad.”

Sophie called her father’s death “the worst thing to ever happen in my life.”

“And I am torn the f*** up over it,” she added. “But I’m not going to sit in my room and cry day in and day out until the internet has deemed it appropriate for me to do otherwise. And if you knew my dad you would know he [wouldn’t] want me to. So you shouldn’t either. So to those of you shaming me for my language and my wardrobe and most disgustingly, my grieving process, do us both the favor and just unfollow. It’s a waste of both of your time.”

The post was met with a lot of support. “You are amazing person and be you,” one person commented.

“Oh, honey, don’t give them any of your time or attention,” one woman wrote. “Just feel all the love coming your way. Keep your head up.”

Added another Instagram user, “God bless you and your family during this trying time.”

Sophie was on a charity trip in Malawi, in Africa, when she heard the news that her father suddenly had a stroke. She made it back to Los Angeles “just in time” to be with her family before the Riverdale actor was pulled off life support.

Perry’s daughter isn’t the only person who has been shamed for her grieving process. His 90210 co-star Jennie Garth slammed trolls who criticized her for not posting a tribute to the actor after his death. The actress’s first post on Instagram after Perry died came on Friday when she shared a picture of her daughters in honor of International Women’s Day.

“Hey everyone … I chose to post a pic of my girls today. Because they are my life. Because today is a day to celebrate all women,” Garth responded in the comments. “It took a lot for me to want to celebrate anything. I thought about it and I know that’s the way my dear friend would have wanted it. His kids were his life. And anyone who knew him knows that and knows he didn’t give a f*** about social media. So please don’t assume or judge or make rude comments. That’s really uncool. Sincerely, Jennie.”

Perry is survived by his two children, Sophie and his 21-year-old son, Jack.

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