In an interview to promote her most recent film, God’s Country, Thandiwe Newton made remarks about colourism that sparked mockery on social media.
God’s Country has been adapted from a short story by James Lee Burke – but switches the lead character from an older white man to a black woman.
Though Newton found the role to be healing for her as a black woman, The Westworld star said she hesitated to take it because she didn’t think she was dark-skinned enough for the role.
“My internalised prejudice was stopping me from feeling like I could play this role when it’s precisely that prejudice that I’ve received,” she said.
“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.”
Getting tearful, she added that she “wanted to apologise every day to darker-skinned actresses”.
“To say, ‘I’m sorry that I’m the one chosen. My mama looks like you. My mom looks like you’,” she said.
“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. I didn’t mean to.”
She said her light “skinnedness” has been way more problematic for her than being “black”.
She continued: “I was BLACK in England — I mean dark-skinned. So then I went to America, and I would describe myself as dark-skinned.”
Thandie was surprised when Black Americans told her she was light-skinned, not Black.
“And suddenly I was someone that, you know, ‘F**k you for being light-skinned.’ I got more prejudice from Black people. I didn’t understand. I literally didn’t understand. I thought you’re my brethren? What’s happening?”
Watch the video below.
From Thandie to Thandiwe
Twitter users admitted the interview was cringe-inducing, with one suggesting that maybe Thandiwe is going through something and has just realised she is half African.
Thandiwe Newton is going through something deep right now. The reafricanisation of her name, the tears about being the one chosen.
— Muzvare (@Tiniwana) February 4, 2022
I truly believe someone called her the n word with the hard R and she realised she was half black African for the first time.
In 2021 Thandie Newton announced in Vogue, that she was going to start using the original Zimbabwean spelling of her first name, Thandiwe. Could this have been a turning point for her?
Her “chosen one” comment also sparked debate.
still cringing at Thandiwe Newton's meltdown over being the chosen light-skinned one 😭😭😭
— Luke ツ (@NubianSkywalker) February 4, 2022
As others wondered whose men Newton had taken, one suggested that Thandiwe’s angst could start a much need conversation about colourism.
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