16 Black Celebs Who Publicly Checked White Co-Stars on Set

Movie and TV sets are known for being stressful places where strong personalities and different ideas can cause friction. Although many disagreements happen privately, some actors haven’t hesitated to speak up when they’ve been treated unfairly or with disrespect. Often, these situations involve Black actors defending their self-respect against white colleagues or those in charge. The following individuals gained public attention by openly discussing issues of race and professional conduct on set.

Denzel Washington

Ellen Pompeo directed an episode of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ with a guest appearance by a highly respected actor. While directing an emotional scene, she found herself shouting instructions at him. He immediately stopped and gently reminded her that he was experienced and capable. He firmly but politely asked her not to speak to him that way. Pompeo later acknowledged she had been intimidated and realized the importance of respecting professional boundaries.

Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton shared a difficult experience she had filming ‘Mission: Impossible 2’ with Tom Cruise. She said Cruise became frustrated with her acting and tried to show her how he thought the scenes should be done. This made Newton feel controlled and undermined. She eventually spoke up about her discomfort with his controlling behavior. Her story illustrates the challenges actresses sometimes face when working alongside dominant leading men.

Samantha Marie Ware

Samantha Ware publicly accused Lea Michele of harmful behavior during their time on ‘Glee’. Ware claimed Michele made repeated, subtle but hurtful comments that made her doubt her future as an actress. She shared details of specific threats Michele made about her hair and overall presence on set. This led to a public apology from Michele and started an important discussion about how Black actors are treated in group performances.

Trina McGee

Danielle McGee shared that she experienced racism while working on the show ‘Boy Meets World’. She said Will Friedle once compared her to the Aunt Jemima character while they were filming, which she found deeply hurtful and inappropriate. Friedle apologized both then and later publicly admitted he hadn’t understood the impact of his words. McGee used the situation as a chance to help her co-stars understand why those kinds of comparisons are so damaging.

Ray Fisher

As a film fan, I was really disturbed to hear Ray Fisher speak out about his experiences on the ‘Justice League’ reshoots. He publicly called out Joss Whedon for what he described as truly awful and unprofessional behavior towards the cast and crew – a really toxic environment. He didn’t let it go, pushing for a proper investigation even though it could have cost him his role in future DC films. Ultimately, his bravery forced the studio to admit there was a problem and start trying to fix things. It was a risky move, but he felt it was important for the truth to come out, and I really respect him for that.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union judged on ‘America’s Got Talent’ with Julianne Hough, but reported that Hough made critical comments about her hair and appearance, suggesting they weren’t suitable for the show’s audience. Union raised concerns about a negative work environment with network leaders. After speaking out about what she felt was discrimination, her contract wasn’t renewed. Since then, Union has been a strong voice for improving standards and accountability in reality television.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover experienced friction with Chevy Chase while filming ‘Community’ because of Chase’s behavior. Chase allegedly made inappropriate racial comments and tried to throw off Glover’s performance. Glover remained professional, but didn’t ignore the remarks. Other cast members observed that Chase seemed envious of Glover’s growing popularity and natural comedic ability. This conflict was a factor in Chase’s eventual departure from the show.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry, an Academy Award winner, had a major disagreement with director Bryan Singer while filming ‘X2’. According to reports, Berry strongly confronted him after a dangerous stunt was allowed to happen, putting the cast at risk. She was upset by his unpredictable behavior and perceived disregard for safety. During a particularly intense argument, Berry famously used harsh language to express her displeasure. This incident was unusual because a leading actress directly challenged a prominent director to ensure her own well-being and the safety of others.

Nicole Beharie

Nicole Beharie shared that she experienced unfair treatment on the set of ‘Sleepy Hollow’ compared to her white co-star, Tom Mison. While he received support, she was labeled as problematic by the production team. She was also left out of press events and cast communication. Ultimately, her character was killed off in a way that many viewers disliked, and Beharie pointed out this situation reflects a larger problem of a lack of protection for Black actresses in leading roles.

John Boyega

As a fan, I was really struck by John Boyega’s honesty about his experience with ‘Star Wars’. It was clear he felt his character, Finn, wasn’t given the same depth and development as characters like Kylo Ren and Rey. What really got to me was how he called out Disney for what he saw as misleading marketing aimed at Black audiences, and his plea for better stories for actors of color. So many of us felt like Finn’s potential was completely overlooked, and his willingness to speak up about it felt incredibly brave and resonated deeply with how we felt too.

Yvette Nicole Brown

Shirley Brown confirmed reports of Chevy Chase being difficult to work with on ‘Community’. She said she wouldn’t work with him again because of his behavior on set. Brown also supported her fellow cast members who felt hurt by his insensitive and racially insensitive comments. Her firm stance against the disrespect strengthened the claims made against Chase, and she handled the situation with grace while making it clear who she’d choose to work with in the future.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson shared that she earned much less than her co-stars, Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, while making ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,’ despite having a key role in the film. Unlike them, she had to cover her own lodging expenses. Henson spoke to the filmmakers about this unfairness and her value, and she used this experience to secure better contracts for her future work.

Orlando Jones

Actor Orlando Jones was let go from the show ‘American Gods’ and stated publicly that showrunner Charles Eglee was responsible. Jones explained that Eglee believed his character portrayed a harmful message to Black audiences. He shared this reasoning on social media, arguing that the show’s new direction was diminishing its cultural importance. Fans widely supported Jones for speaking out against the show’s producers.

Anthony Mackie

The Marvel actor spoke out about the lack of diversity among the people working behind the scenes on the films. He noted that the crews on all of his Marvel movies have been mostly white. He urged the studio to prioritize diversity in hiring, just as they do with casting actors, and encouraged leaders to hire the most qualified person for each role, regardless of their race. His comments sparked a larger conversation about how the blockbuster film industry hires its staff.

Regé-Jean Page

While casting for ‘Krypton’, actor David Page faced pushback from executive Geoff Johns. Reports indicated Johns objected to the idea of Superman having a Black grandfather. Page confirmed these events on social media, sharing that the rejection was painful then and still affected him years later. He wanted to set the record straight about what happened.

Amber Riley

Riley publicly backed up Samantha Marie Ware’s claims about a negative atmosphere on the ‘Glee’ set. She subtly showed her support by posting a ‘sipping tea’ GIF as allegations against Lea Michele surfaced. Riley later confirmed she hadn’t had a positive working relationship with Michele and highlighted that the set was often uncomfortable for actors of color. She affirmed her colleagues’ experiences without getting directly involved in the conflict.

Tell us which of these stories surprised you the most in the comments.

2025-12-09 17:16