Thandiwe Newton is sorry.
While discussing her new movie, God’s Country, in a recent interview with The Associated Press, the Westworld actress issued an emotional apology to dark-skinned actresses and women in Hollywood and beyond.
Opening up about the colorist in the industry, she stated:
“I now realize that my internalized prejudice was stopping me from feeling like I could play this role when it’s precisely that prejudice that I’ve received.
It doesn’t matter that it’s from African American women more than anyone else. I received prejudice. Anyone who’s received oppression and prejudice feels this character.”
She went on to acknowledge that she is still often picked over other darker-skinned actresses:
“I’ve wanted so desperately to apologize every day to darker-skinned actresses. To say, ‘I’m sorry that I’m the one chosen.’
My mama looks like you…It’s been very painful to have women look like my mom feel like I’m not representing them.
That I’m taking from them. Taking their men, taking their work, taking their truth.”
And Thandiwe expressed gratitude for her light skin not causing more pain:
“I do think that any women of color who, whether they are pale, or whatever, who have managed to help other actors, get into this business, we matter. Whenever they say that Black women have watched the movie, and it’s really, really, really mattered to them, I just thank God that my light skin didn’t stop that from happening — that it didn’t cause more pain.”
