Viewers of The TODAY Show blasted anchor Craig Melvin’s questions for Anya Taylor-Joy.

The journalist, 44, interviewed the British-Argentine actress, 29, on the morning NBC program on Wednesday, March 18. Anya is currently on a press tour promoting The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). She voices Princess Peach in both films. There were particular moments in the interview that viewers criticized on social media.

One such instance occurred when Craig suggested there is a common thread among the characters Anya has portrayed in film and television: where they are “trapped.” Craig noted, “In The Queen’s Gambit, you’re trapped in chess, you’re trapped in the kingdom here in Mario, [and] you were trapped sort of in Survival.”

Anya responded, with laughter at the end, “So, I have a history of being trapped?” Craig continued, “I was going to ask you, is that a theme that you seek out, or is that just a coincidence?”

Anya began addressing the question by stating that she’s very fortunate that the roles she was “supposed to embody” have “a way” of finding her, and it “does feel like fate.”

“I think now, with some hindsight, I do see a through-line between my own personal journey and what I’ve been allowed to depict on screen, but they always feel very different to me,” Anya continued.

Following that exchange, Craig referenced speculation that Anya might portray a younger Joni Mitchell in an upcoming biopic. He described Joni as “arguably the most singularly important woman in music in the last generation or so” and Princess Peach as “one of the most iconic women in gaming history.” Craig then asked Anya what linked these two figures.

“Well, they’re both singular. You can’t touch them. They’re on a league of their own,” Anya responded.

Discussion erupted on the Studio1A subreddit, where viewers critiqued Craig’s line of questioning. The thread’s creator questioned whether he seemed “unprepared.” One user observed, “I feel like Craig is usually prepared for interviews, but this one felt off today. It was so awkward.”

Another remarked, “He’s fine when he’s reading off the latest news, but the one-on-one interviews are never good, and I noticed it’s specifically with women.”

The clip showing him asking about the link between Joni and Peach gained traction on X (formerly Twitter). One viewer commented, “Honestly, a really solid response to a ridiculous question. Anya is a true movie star.”

A second viewer posted, “I love how serious she is cause I would’ve laughed in that man’s face.”

Someone else added, “Lmfaoooo she handled that sooo professionally, I love her for that. Props to the interviewer for trying hard to ask a ‘different’ question. It probably sounded better in his head the night before.”

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is based on the 2007 video game Super Mario Galaxy and its 2010 follow-up. The film chronicles Mario and Luigi as they embark on a cosmic journey alongside Princess Peach and Toad, accompanied by their new companion, Yoshi. During their space voyage, they encounter Princess Rosalina and battle against Bowser and his son, Bowser Jr. The forthcoming animated feature is helmed by directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, with Matthew Fogel writing the script.

Returning to their respective roles are Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kevin Michael Richardson, alongside Anya. New additions to the ensemble include Brie Larson, Donald Glover, Issa Rae, Luis Guzmán, and Benny Safdie.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arrives in cinemas on April 1.