Thandie Newton’s teary apology to ‘darker-skinned’ actresses backfires

English-born actress Thandie Newton (who now goes by Thandiwe Newton) faced backlash on social media after she apologised to “darker-skinned” actresses for “not representing them” on screen. The actress was speaking to Sky News about her role in a new film titled God’s Country.
Newton mentioned that she hesitated to take the role because she thought she wasn’t she was “dark-skinned” enough.

THANDIWE NEWTON ‘APOLOGISES’ TO ‘DARKER-SKINNED’ ACTRESSES 

Speaking to Sky News about her role in God’s Country, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, Thandiwe Newton said she wanted to apologise to “darker-skinned actresses” for failing to “represent them”.
An emotional Newton said she has “desperately” wanted to apologise every day.

“I’m sorry that I’m the chosen one. My mamma looks like you,” said Newton before breaking down.

“My mum looks like you… It’s been very painful to have women that look like my mum 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.”

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THANDIWE NEWTON FACES BACKLASH 

After the clip hit social media, Twitter users lambasted the 49-year-old actress’s remarks with one tweep mentioning that she “could’ve” denied the roles.

“She could’ve denied roles like Zendaya and forced them to hire darker-skinned women,” wrote the tweep.

“Does it get more tone-deaf, narcissistic and dismissive than this? And watch how people will sympathize with her,” wrote another tweep.

“She could’ve you know… not taken those roles, but that’s just me…”

‘GOD’S COUNTRY’

The Emmy award-winning actress plays the lead role in a thriller film titled God’s Country. The film is centered around Sandra Guidry (played by Thandiwe Newton), a professor who lives and works in a rural college town.
Sandra is grieving her deceased mother and spots a truck parked in her driveway that belongs to two hunters who trespass her property. The film also stars Jefferson White and Canadian actor Joris Jarsky.
The film was adapted from James Lee Burke’s short story that originally had an older white man as the lead.
On the role, Newton said her “internalised prejudice” stopped her from feeling like she could play Sandra.

“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.”
The film is yet to be released through a distribution partner.

WATCH A CLIP FROM ‘GOD’S COUNTRY’ HERE

World News