Alexandra thinks ‘colourism’ still prevalent in Hollywood
ALEXANDRA Shipp believes “colourism” is still prevalent in Hollywood.
The ‘ X-Men: Apocalypse’ actress insists it is a “real thing” that directors feel more comfortable offering her a lead role than they would a darkerskinned actress, and she finds people are not afraid to ask her “offensive” questions because she’s mixed race, but she wants to use her position to “educate” others.
She told Elle magazine: “In this industry, there’s a reality when it comes to colourism. I know that a studio or director is going to feel more comfortable with me in a lead black female role than they would with someone of a darker complexion. That’s a real thing.
“So with this Afrocentricity we’re now seeing in film, we’re getting a chance to show more representation. I am not every shade of black. I can’t play every shade - I haven’t had the same experiences as every person.
“And being biracial, I walk this strange grey area that makes people comfortable asking me questions they don’t think are offensive, even though half the time they are. Most people are afraid to ask a dark woman about her hair, but they’re not afraid to ask me. It’s weird, but it’s something I think I can use to educate people.”
When she was growing up, the 27year- old star was inspired by the likes of Eartha Kitt in ‘Boomerang’ and Dorothy Dandridge in ‘Carmen Jones’.