Bella Thorne has put on her directing hat to create two emotional videos that shed a light on the “suffering” of animals in captivity—even appearing as an orca whale herself.
The former Disney star, 27, has once again teamed up with animal rights group PETA in campaign to discourage people from going to marine parks, especially SeaWorld.
“I’ve always loved animals, and when PETA reached out to collaborate on another campaign against SeaWorld, it was a no-brainer. I’ve seen firsthand how much suffering goes on behind the scenes for these animals, and I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing,” Thorne told Newsweek.
“Partnering with PETA gave me a platform to speak out about issues that need way more attention, and I’m all about raising awareness for causes I believe in.”
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In one of the evocative, black-and-white videos, Thorne goes underwater, playing the role of a captive orca.
“So desperate to escape, I chew metal bars and ram into concrete walls. … I’m not a performer. I’m a prisoner,” Thorne says in the first video, which shows her screaming for help and searching for a way out of the tank. “SeaWorld’s business thrives on our pain, on the denial of everything that’s natural and important to me.”
Newsweek contacted SeaWorld by email on Tuesday morning for comment.
The marine life park has been under fire since a 2013 documentary called Blackfish examined how the living conditions of whales might cause them to lash out violently against their trainers. In the wake of the film, protesters called on SeaWorld to end the practice of using whales for entertainment.
SeaWorld agreed to end its orca breeding program in 2016 and announced that its current orcas would be the last in the care. Its San Diego park ended live orca shows in 2015 and Sea World currently has five living orcas across its sites.
But those living whales could live for many more decades and PETA argued they are kept in cramped and shallow pools that can cause the orcas to harm themselves in frustration, hurt other animals, and in some cases kill their human trainers.
SeaWorld’s living orcas are still used in live educational shows, which it says allows guests to see “these magnificent animals up-close,” and educates them on the importance of animal conservation, per its website.
Thorne argued that even if orcas and other animals at SeaWorld are part of conservation programs, their “captivity is heartbreaking,” because “orcas and dolphins are highly intelligent, social animals that are meant to live in the wild, not in tanks for entertainment.”
“The way SeaWorld exploits them for profit is inhumane, and I felt like people needed to hear the truth. When I learned about their suffering—both physically and mentally—I knew I had to use my voice and platform to bring attention to it. It’s all about educating the public so we can make real change,” she said.
In the video where she portrays a captive orca, Thorne declares, “I’m not a performer, I’m a prisoner,” and highlights other information about SeaWorld’s procedures, including the forced breeding of female dolphins. It even came under fire for forcing a baby orca named Shamu to perform after her mother was shot and killed in front of her during her capture.
“The biggest takeaway is that animals are not here for our entertainment. We need to respect their right to live freely in their natural environments, not be trapped in small tanks or cages,” Thorne said.
“I want people to understand that when we support places like SeaWorld, we’re indirectly supporting the abuse and mistreatment of these creatures. We need to shift our thinking and prioritize the well-being of animals over profits and entertainment.”
Thorne admitted to crying as she edited together the videos for the PETA campaign as watched the footage of the animals in captivity. She told Newsweek that she wanted people to know “that we all have the power to make a difference.”
“Whether it’s standing up for animals, the environment, or any cause you care about—your voice matters and so do the choices you make every day,” she said.
“I hope people will watch my videos and take action on PETA’s website by urging SeaWorld to stop breeding these animals and give them the retirement they deserve. Let’s keep pushing for positive change and make the world a better place for every living being.”