20 Celebrities You Didn't Know Were Actually Black

Summary

This video explores the diverse experiences of biracial celebrities navigating their identities in the entertainment industry. It delves into the challenges of being misunderstood or typecast, while also celebrating the rich cultural backgrounds these individuals embody. The stories of figures like Tessa Thompson, Jessica Szohr, Aubrey Plaza, and others highlight the complexities of racial identity and representation in Hollywood. These actors and performers reveal how their mixed heritage influences both their careers and personal lives, underscoring the importance of embracing all parts of their identity while striving for more inclusive roles in the industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hollywood often struggles to accurately portray the complexities of biracial and multicultural identities, leading to challenges for actors navigating their diverse backgrounds.
• 😀 Many actors of mixed heritage, such as Tessa Thompson and Jessica Sár, have spoken about how they’ve been cast in racially ambiguous roles that don’t fully represent their cultural backgrounds.
• 😀 Growing up in a multicultural household can offer unique insights into different cultures, but it also presents the challenge of feeling disconnected or not fully fitting into any one group, as seen with Aubrey Plaza’s Puerto Rican and African roots.
• 😀 Celebrities with mixed identities, like Tessa Thompson, often find strength in embracing both sides of their heritage, with family support playing a crucial role in building pride and confidence.
• 😀 Hollywood’s tendency to categorize actors based on appearance often reduces complex identities to one racial or ethnic group, creating barriers for biracial actors to represent their full identity.
• 😀 Biracial individuals sometimes feel torn between two cultures, not fully accepted by either side, which can lead to personal and professional challenges, as discussed by Jessica Sár and others.
• 😀 Mixed-race actors like Tessa Thompson and Aubrey Plaza often find themselves balancing both privilege and challenges, with lighter skin or perceived ethnicity influencing the types of roles they are offered.
• 😀 Representation in Hollywood continues to evolve, but there remains a gap in the industry’s ability to authentically represent the experiences of biracial and multicultural individuals.
• 😀 Some celebrities, like Nicollet Robinson, have embraced their mixed backgrounds and used their experiences to inform the roles they take, creating a deeper connection to the characters they portray.
• 😀 Despite the difficulties, many biracial actors are committed to promoting diversity in Hollywood and advocating for more roles that reflect their true identities and cultural experiences.

Q & A

How does Tessa Thompson's mixed heritage shape her understanding of identity?

Tessa Thompson’s mixed heritage, with a father of Afro-Panamanian descent and a mother of Mexican heritage, shaped her understanding of identity by providing her with a unique perspective on both Black and Mexican cultures. Her father's influence helped her embrace her Black race, while her mother, despite not being Black, played a key role in teaching her to take pride in her Blackness and embrace her natural features.

What challenges did Tessa Thompson face growing up as a biracial woman?

Growing up as a biracial woman, Tessa Thompson had to navigate the complexities of fitting into different cultural and racial groups. She faced challenges related to being perceived as 'different' by her peers and had to deal with the pressures of embracing both her Black and Mexican identities, especially in a society where racial identity is often simplified or misunderstood.

How has Tessa Thompson's mother influenced her view on race and identity?

Tessa’s mother, despite not being Black, significantly impacted her view on race and identity by encouraging her to embrace her natural features and Blackness. She took proactive steps, such as taking Tessa to a beauty store to buy a relaxer but supporting her decision to keep her natural curls. Her mother also emphasized taking pride in her Blackness despite societal pressures.

What struggles does Jessica Szohr face in Hollywood as a biracial actress?

Jessica Szohr, who has an African-American mother, faces challenges in Hollywood related to being typecast in racially ambiguous roles. This often prevents her from fully embracing and representing her African-American heritage, as Hollywood tends to focus on her physical appearance rather than her background, which complicates her ability to represent her full identity.

How does Jessica Szohr feel about Hollywood's treatment of biracial identities?

Jessica Szohr has expressed frustration over Hollywood’s tendency to misinterpret or overlook biracial identities. The industry often places actors in roles that don’t reflect their true racial backgrounds, creating both opportunities and limitations in her career. She hopes for more roles that authentically represent her mixed heritage.

Why does Aubrey Plaza feel disconnected from her Latino roots?

Aubrey Plaza feels disconnected from her Latino roots, particularly because of her fair skin. Although she is of Puerto Rican descent from her father's side, people often don’t recognize her as Latina due to her appearance. This led her to feel that she didn't fully belong to the Latino community, despite the cultural influences she experienced growing up.

What challenges does Aubrey Plaza face in her Hollywood career due to her mixed heritage?

Aubrey Plaza faces challenges in Hollywood due to being perceived as 'Caucasian' because of her light skin, despite having Puerto Rican and African ancestry. This has led to her being cast in roles that don’t fully reflect her mixed identity, such as characters with no connection to her Latino or African roots. However, she acknowledges that her light skin has also provided her with certain privileges in the industry.

What role does Nicollet Robinson's biracial background play in her acting career?

Nicollet Robinson’s biracial background, which includes African-American and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, plays a significant role in her acting career. Growing up in a household that celebrated both cultures, Nicollet is able to connect deeply with characters that navigate complex racial and cultural intersections, allowing her to portray a wide range of roles that reflect her diverse background.

How does Nicollet Robinson embrace both sides of her heritage in her personal life?

Nicollet Robinson embraces both her African-American and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage by celebrating both Christian and Jewish holidays in her home. She feels grateful for being exposed to both cultures, which has allowed her to fully embrace her identity and integrate it into her personal and professional life.

How does Hollywood's portrayal of racial identity affect actors like Jessica Szohr and Aubrey Plaza?

Hollywood's portrayal of racial identity often reduces complex backgrounds to simplistic categories, which affects actors like Jessica Szohr and Aubrey Plaza. These actors are frequently cast in roles that don’t fully reflect their mixed identities, limiting their ability to authentically represent their backgrounds. While this can open doors for some roles, it can also result in misrepresentation and frustration as they navigate the industry's narrow views on race.