[Variety] Hollywood is no stranger to stereotype casting. Scandal’s Kerry Washington [has] come face to face with this reality on multiple occasions throughout [her] career.
“Before ‘Scandal,’ I was actually cast in two other pilots. Both went to series, but I was fired and recast,” Washington said. “For both, it was because they wanted me to sound more ‘girlfriend,’ more like ‘hood,’ more ‘urban.’”
While Washington experienced the repercussions of not fitting a certain stereotype, she soon discovered that it wasn’t exclusive to racial cliches.
“I’ve had friends of mine say like they’re tired of ‘gayface’ and I was like, ‘What’s gayface?’ They were like, ‘It’s the gay version of blackface, like come in and be more effeminate,”‘ Washington said, recounting past conversations.
Similar: White Guy White Guy White Guy
TV Pilot 1:
TV Pilot 2:
[Optional] Do you think people stereotype you when they see you? How accurate are they?
TulipInBloom says
Not sure on the pilots.
I’m stereotyped a lot and I let it happen to a point so I can hear what people say. I look stereotypically white, blonde hair and blue eyes, but I’m half Mexican. Amazing the rude crap people will say even after finding out my ethnicity because I “don’t look Hispanic!” Jackholes.
ladysussex says
Is “act more effeminate” really the same thing as a non-black person painting their face black?
stevedaveswang says
Yes, if a straight actor is being told to act more effeminate to portray a gay man. Makes sense.
taracu says
At first I thought not, but on consideration, both are being someone they aren’t, in order to mock/ stereotype a certain group.
prissy says
Im not sure but i love who kerry Washington is, a beautiful intelligent black woman however i would like to note that she played “girlfriend, hood,urban” on SNL for the what does the Fox say skit, its my all time fav.
Optional- i am multi racial but definitely look of latin decent and people always think i speak Spanish and like traditional Latin food, am cultural, ect but i am in fact very much a “white washed valley girl”.
TheRevanchist says
She also did in Save the Last Dance.
Actors don’t complain about stereotypes when they’re thirsty for parts. It’s only later that they complain. I get why, but it still comes across as rather self-serving when they’ve previously exploited that stereotype for money & fame.
thisisannoying says
Empire?
Orange is the new black?
bubbasbbq says
I don’t know, but I think that is deplorable.
Oh yes, I get stereotyped all of the time, I actually think it is funny.
People think I am just a good ol’ redneck boy and they’d be partially correct, but I also understand French and Latin, have read Classical Greek and a degree in Chemistry.
mommagoosed says
How refreshing! 🙂
mrsjaymack says
tv pilot 1: wonderfalls
tv pilot 2: not sure
CevansLeftpec2 says
Idk what shows she’s referring to, but it’s sad that I could name ten shows off the top of my head with black women where this would apply. I’m white and straight so no in those regards…but people have told me before that I have the ‘dumb blonde’ look jokingly. I didn’t find it very funny.
heloveshim says
Ace, you always do such a great job at reminding me why I got away from the entertainment industry. Thank you.
theblacktights says
Yes, they stereotype me and it irks me because they typically underestimate me.