Sophie Turner fires back at social media critic who said she's 'forgotten' about children

USA Today

a day ago

Sophie Turner isn't taking orders from the mommy-shaming police.
The British actress, who shares daughters Willa and Delphine with ex-husband Joe Jonas, defended her parenting on social media after an Instagram user criticized her Aug. 4 post for not featuring her children, who are 5 and 3, respectively.
The lighthearted post featured several clips of Turner, 29, and friend Ellie Wasserberg attending a concert from rock band Oasis, which kicked off its highly anticipated comeback tour in July. For her concert attire, the "Game of Thrones" alum was seen decked out in tour merch that included a baby blue Oasis band tee and beige bucket hat.
"Bucket hats & beers…. That'll do me," Turner captioned the post.
A post shared by S O P H I E T U R N E R (@sophiet)
However, one fan was not amused by Turner's non-parenting fun. User @elizabethwakes96 wrote: "I think she has forgotten that she has two kids."
Turner and Jonas, 35, split in September 2023 after the Jonas Brothers singer filed to dissolve their marriage, claiming that the couple's relationship had become "irretrievably broken." Amid their divorce, Turner sued Jonas for allegedly withholding their children's passports and refusing to allow them to return to England (lawyers for both Jonas and Turner later requested that a judge dismiss the federal lawsuit, effectively terminating Turner's case).
Turner, who has been open about the emotional difficulties of coparenting, responded to the criticism in a fiery Aug. 7 comment.
"Ah I'm so sorry, sometimes I forget some people can't think for themselves," wrote Turner in a mocking tone. "So…. Get this….There's this crazy thing called shared custody. Maybe, just maybe, they were with their dad that day."
Sophie Turner fans show support amid parenting critique
In an October 2024 interview with Harper's Bazaar U.K., Turner reflected on the isolation of coparenting, describing the periods without her children as "absolute agony."
"I want them to see me having a social life and enjoying work and thriving in my career and relationships. I want them to see a hard-working mum," Turner said. "I'll come back and say, 'This is why Mummy was away — it's because she's doing this for you, so Father Christmas can come with a big bundle of presents.'"
Despite the initial flak Turner received for her concert post, many users came to the actress's defense in the comments section.
"Is it that incomprehensible to you that her children might have other trusted caregivers aside from her? The dad perhaps?" @laura_kai_02 wrote. "Is it that strange to you that a dad look after his own children every now and again?"
"God forbid a mother has FUN," @floweredx commented.
"Just because you are a parent doesn't me you don't exist as a person," @emmiejack0810 wrote. "You are still you, and you still need you time. Rock on girl!!!!!"
Contributing: Naledi Ushe and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY