The ongoing controversy surrounding the production of Troma Entertainment's The Power of Positive Murder has taken a new turn with conflicting statements from key figures involved. Actress Nadia White's departure from the project due to COVID-19 safety concerns has sparked a heated exchange between her and fellow actress Jessa Flux, shedding light on differing perspectives regarding the situation on set.
Nadia White, known for her roles in Troma films like Shakespeare's Shitstorm and Return to Nuke 'Em High Vol. 2, made headlines when she exited the production, citing a lack of concern for "safety to humans" after allegedly refusing to come to the set where she claimed there were more than seven active COVID-19 cases. White's decision was met with dismissal from the project by Troma co-founder Lloyd Kaufman, who is also directing the film.
However, Jessa Flux, another actress involved in the film, has publicly disputed White's account. Flux responded to the situation, stating, "This is completely inaccurate and sensationalized. The actress simply didn’t want to make the trek back to the set and has attempted to slander the company after production said no to her request to film with a green screen. That was never an option."
Flux further explained that the film is being shot in a classic film noir style, and a self-tape shot at home would not have met the cinematography standards required for the project. According to her, "No one has lied about there being COVID cases on set; however, everyone involved was quarantined and cared for away from the healthy cast and crew. This is a case of someone being told no when she expected a yes, simply because she didn’t want to return to work."
Nadia White quickly responded to Flux's comments, calling them "all lies" and defending her decision to step away. White asserted that her scenes were always supposed to be shot using a green screen, as the Director of Photography had informed her during rehearsals. She also clarified that her decision was not due to a reluctance to return to work, as she is currently in New Jersey for other work commitments. "I’m ACTUALLY in NJ right now and anyone following my socials knows that. I am in the area working til I was supposed to be there on Sept 3rd," White said, addressing Flux directly with, "So go eat a bag, Jessa."
White went on to express her disappointment with Troma, saying, "I love Troma, I'm HURT by Lloyd casting me away for trying to be healthy." She also expressed gratitude for the support she has received from fans and colleagues, stating, "It means the world to me."
The situation has also drawn responses from others associated with the production. Andrew L. Miller, who appears to work for Troma based on his Facebook profile, criticized the reporting on the situation, stating, "Ever since the first case, production have been testing every person on cast and crew every single day, everyone is wearing masks, and anyone who is positive is being isolated."
In response to Miller's comments, I provided six photos and a video showing groups of people on set without masks. Miller claimed the video was old but has yet to address the images.
Adding to the confusion, Troma posted a video on Lloyd Kaufman’s X (formerly Twitter) account on August 31, 2024, demonstrating how to test for COVID-19 with a puppet. While the video offers helpful information, it comes across as dismissive, especially with the comment, "If you test positive, we send you out." This post is the only public acknowledgment from Troma regarding the situation, and it feels as though they are mocking the seriousness of the issue.
Despite reaching out to Troma directly on August 29th, I have yet to receive a response. As the story continues to develop, it's clear that the controversy surrounding The Power of Positive Murder is far from over. The contrasting narratives from those involved leave fans and industry insiders questioning what truly happened on set and how Troma will address the ongoing concerns about safety and professionalism.
Jessie Hobson