Amanda Seales is sounding the alarm and expressing her disdain over the exclusion she feels she’s experienced particularly in Black Hollywood circles.
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In a post to her personal Instagram on Sunday, the comedian and “Insecure” star thanked her fans and followers for reminding her of her success but then took a beat to question why that success hasn’t translated to further inclusion in Black spaces.
“I just want to say something, if it it wasn’t for y’all—I would really—if it wasn’t for y’all I would really think that I ain’t doing shit,” she began. “Because the industry I’m in does not recognize me. And to be clear, I’m speaking about the Black spaces in the industry I’m in ‘cause y’all know I don’t give two damns about any of these other spaces. But the Black spaces is what I’m referring to. Which is largely in part why I realize I need to shift out of this industry.”
Seales goes on to reveal that she didn’t get invited to ESSENCE’s Black Women in Hollywood nor had she been invited to the NAACP Image Awards—despite being nominated. She also shared that she’d never been honored at Black Girls Rock nor had she been invited to the BET Awards
“So I just wanna thank y’all for always reminding me that I really am valuable because the game and the industry I’ve been in has never let me know,” she concluded.
In a followup video, Seales clarified that the point of the video was to highlight the people and the supporters of her work and not necessarily to call out those spaces—but to instead interrogate why those spaces that benefit from the “ardent, challenging of systems that oppress it” don’t see or value in what she, and others like her, do to enhance those spaces.
“I don’t think there’s anything crazy for wanting to not be left out of the celebratory spaces of those spaces,” she said.
In the comments, ESSENCE responded directly to Seales, writing in the Instagram comments: “ We hear you and we love you. We will do a better job at showing up for you and showing you that love is real. Happy to offline to see where we can show up for you.”
Others in the comments on Instagram like activist Tamika Mallory, singer Lalah Hathaway, and Syleena Johnson affirmed Seales and shared similar sentiments. Likewise on Twitter, folks came to her defense as well:
“Amanda Seales is another one that yall treat like Azealia Banks. A person’s personality doesn’t change the truth,” wrote one user.
“I admire Amanda Seales and value her crucial, challenging work. Many prefer popularity over difficult discussions. We must ensure a safer environment for our community in this tough world,” said another.
“I briefly looked up the line up for Essence Fest and quickly spotted: anti-vaxxers, accused abusers and assaulters, anti-trans spewers, Jess Hilarious, and former drug dealers. But Amanda Seales being annoying is the line? Yeah, ok, yeah,” wrote another.
However, others were a bit less understanding:
“I followed Amanda Seales for a few days on IG and was like whew this is enough. It’s not that she’s wrong about stuff she says, it’s just like girl when do you have fun? What do you enjoy in life? She talented and I actually liked her stand up she had. But where are your friends?,” said one user.
“It takes A LOT for Black people to not fuck with you at all. A LOT. We see how excuses are made and passes are given for the most egregious of behavior by the minute. Hollywood Blacks, even more so,” wrote another user. “All I remember of Amanda Seales was her getting on live talking about being discriminated against because she was light-skinned or some shit like that. Those Hollywood Blacks let ANYBODY come around. Jussie, Majors, R Kelly (still being defended), Chris Brown. Issa Rae seems like one of the most down to earth, cool ass, got it out the mud people ever, if she dont even fuck with you we know that it is you.”
“Has anybody tried telling Amanda Seales that maybe she is the problem? none of your peers, events, colleagues invite you places because you are not enjoyable company,” said another user.
“Amanda Seales complaining that Black Hollywood doesnt F with her after years of burning bridges and ruining her chance to properly conclude her last big role because she was beefing with the black cast, is the on brand lack of self-awareness that I expect from her,” said another.
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