Thandiwe Newton Apologizes for Reaping The Rewards Of Colorism

Many Hollywood stars often face different obstacles while trying to make a name in the industry. One among the array of issues is colorism, which refers to prejudice or discrimination against persons with dark skin tone, typically among people of the same race.

Over the years, the narrative is slowly changing with more dark-skinned tone people getting more jobs in the movie industry. However, the gap between those who face such impediments and those who benefit might not get closed anytime soon.

In a recent interview, Hollywood star Thandiwe Newton addressed this issue with a message. The actress opined she had benefited from colorism and took the time out to apologize to darker-skinned actors of color struggling in Hollywood.

Newton recently starred in a Julian Higgins thriller "God's Country" as a grief-stricken professor who confronted two white hunters trespassing on her property. The battle of wills that ensued ultimately spawned many unexpected consequences for her character.

During a media tour for the film, Newton detailed how her role impacted her view on colorism.

"My internalized prejudice was stopping me from feeling like I could play this role when it's precisely that prejudice that I've received," she informed the Associated Press. "Doesn't matter that it's from African American women more than anyone else, doesn't matter. I received prejudice. Anyone who's received oppression and prejudice feels this character."

At this point in the interview, Newton felt overwhelmed, holding back tears that threatened to fall down her face. She then delivered an apology to her colleagues in the industry.

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"I've wanted so desperately to apologize for every day to darker-skinned actresses," she continued, choking back tears. "To say, 'I'm sorry I'm the one chosen.'"

Newton had more words to say about the situation. She continued by citing her mother, Nyasha Newton, a princess from the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe.

"My mama looks like you," she added. "It's been 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."

The actress then discussed that "all women matter" regardless of being dark-skinned, pale, or light-skinned and went on to express her happiness that colorism did not stop other black women from watching "God's Country" after its premiere.

After the interview, fans took to Twitter to question why the actor gave such an emotional outburst on the issue, calling it "awkward" and "unnecessary."

One fan commented, "Thing is we know about racism & colorism in TV/Hollywood, we know why light skinned/mixed women get cast more. No one actually blamed Thandiwe Newton personally nor expected her to take responsibility. So my question is why [cry] like it was so unnecessary and achieved nothing."

Another fan said, "Thandiwe Newton, I'm perplexed by this performative apology to 'darker-skinned actresses. What do you really mean: 1) 'I am sorry I am the one chosen'. 2) It is painful to have women (darker-skinned) feel like I am taking their men'. What in the name of colorism is this?"'

Newton's recent emotional outburst about colorism is not the first time she spoke on the subject. In her cover story with British Vogue, she discussed how changing her professional name to her birth name, Thandiwe, caused an incident.

Newton recalled being informed by director John Duigan to "be darker by Monday" while trying out for Flirting, the film which brought her fame. "Colorism has just been the funniest," she stated. "I've been too Black, not Black enough. I'm always Black. I'm just like, [what do] you people want?!"

The actress further revealed why she changed her professional name to her birth name. "I got to change it back, which actually is probably more powerful," she said. "So I'm glad that they robbed it for a brief, brief couple of decades."