“I had no idea they were going to do this to me beforehand.”
HBO has a lot of explaining to do. The streaming platform responded after a Lovecraft Country extra claimed the show’s makeup artists darkened her skin in the series.
“I had no idea they were going to do this to me beforehand. And if I knew beforehand, I would not have accepted this job,” she said. “Who thought this was a good idea?”
Amirah said that when she was waiting to get her makeup done, she overheard the show’s makeup artists deciding what to do with her since she looked “a little lighter” than the other actress.
As they started doing her makeup, she noticed her foundation was “getting darker and darker.”
“Before I show these pictures, I’m going to preface this by saying I was so uncomfortable,” Amirah said, before showing off the pics of her on the show. “As soon as we wrapped, I went right back to hair and makeup to ask for some makeup wipes because I refused to go out in the world like that.”
After Amirah’s video went viral, HBO released a statement addressing her concerns. “We were very disappointed to learn of Ms. Amirah’s experience,” a spokesperson for HBO told People. “This should not have happened, and we are taking steps to ensure this doesn’t occur again in the future.”
Amirah also went on Twitter to further explain what happened to her.
I’ve been getting a lot of very valid critiques for my complacency in allowing Lovecraft Country to darken my skin as a photo double for some set photography briefly featured in an episode. It’s uncomfortable but it’s not wrong. I was weak and complacent in that moment.
Twitter/ @TheKelliAmirah / Via Twitter: @TheKelliAmirah
In the instance of Lovecraft, I applied for a casting for a 20-25 year old African American woman to play the younger version of a character in her wedding photo. No audition, just an online submission and booking
Twitter/ @TheKelliAmirah / Via Twitter: @TheKelliAmirah
There was no mention of me being too light when I was caster nor when I went in for my fitting days before. And it wasn’t until I was in the chair that I overheard the muas discussing it
Twitter/ @TheKelliAmirah / Via Twitter: @TheKelliAmirah
Now as this was happening I had so many conflicting thoughts in my head. This is wrong. Why did they hire me. I should say something. What would I say? What would happen? If I hold up this production how much money goes down the drain. What will be my repercussions?
Twitter/ @TheKelliAmirah / Via Twitter: @TheKelliAmirah
But yeah, the entertainment industry needs to do better. I need to do better. I didn’t show up in the way I should have, and again, I’m sorry for that.
Twitter/ @TheKelliAmirah / Via Twitter: @TheKelliAmirah
Amirah is right. HBO needs to do better.
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