Thandiwe Newton recently sat with the Associated Press to promote her new movie God's Country but thanks to the interview audiences are focusing on the actor discussing more than the upcoming film.
Newton is no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to subjects of colorism. In 2018, the actor apologized after facing online backlash for describing herself as “the first dark-skinned woman in a lead role in the Star Wars legacy,” and now she is apologizing to ‘dark-skinned’ actors for not representing them. The actor was moved to tears as she discussed her experiences with prejudice, a factor that helped her to decide to accept the role.
Understandably, many are stunned and confused by the comments beginning a new wave of controversy.
While some make light of the comments, I am concerned for her mental health. It may be experiences of past trauma that she is still holding onto or ongoing issues behind the scenes of Hollywood. Whatever the case I am sure Newton’s publicist is facing a pr nightmare that will overshadow any thought of the movie.
