Amanda Knox has defended her solo comedy show, 'Cartwheel', which is set to be performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The sold-out show discusses motherhood and how Knox will explain her past case to her daughter.
Stephanie Kercher, the sister of murder victim Meredith Kercher, expressed concerns that the show would "normalise and trivialise" violence against women, and Meredith in particular. She urged Knox to consider the impact on the family and friends.
Knox, who was convicted and later acquitted of Meredith Kercher's murder in Italy in 2007, stated that her material focuses on "how the world is unsafe and unfair towards women". She told the BBC she does not downplay the seriousness of the case and is respectful in her approach.
A petition against the show, started by a friend of Meredith, has garnered nearly 5,000 signatures. It claims the show disrespects Meredith's memory and risks making light of a harrowing event. Stephanie Kercher added that she did not believe Meredith would find these topics to have any comedic value, highlighting the immense and ongoing pain for her family.
The show's title, 'Cartwheel', references a past claim that Knox did cartwheels in a police station after her roommate's death. Knox explained that the cartwheel serves as a metaphor throughout the show, representing how bad things can turn life "upside down" but also the need to maintain momentum to land on one's feet.