Shonda Rhimes Blasts Deadline’s Diversity Story: This article is so ignorant!

She continues:

In one instance, after a number of actors of different ethnicities tested for two roles in a pilot this year, two Caucasian actors ended up being the top choices for the two remaining regular parts. However, because of a mandate from the studio and network, one of the roles had to diverse, so the pilot could only cast one of the top choices and pass on the other to fulfill the ethnic quota. “They need to say the best man or woman wins,” one rep suggested.

Scandal’s Kerry Washiongton

Because of the sudden flood of roles for ethnic actors after years of suppressed opportunities for them, the talent pool of experienced minority performers — especially in the younger range — is pretty limited. That has led to a feeding frenzy, with a number of straight offers locking in ethnic talent before they could be snatched by another pilot.

There has been an outpouring of opinions about the story, with Shonda Rhimes being very vocal. The screenwriter/director/producer, tweeted:

1st Reaction:: HELL NO. Lemme take off my earrings, somebody hold my purse! 2nd Reaction: Article is so ignorant I can’t even be bothered.

While Selma director, Ava DuVernay, responded to Shonda’s tweet, with the simple reaction

Preach!

RT @shondarhimes: 1st Reaction: HELL NO. Lemme take off my earrings! 2nd Reaction: Article is so ignorant I can’t even be bothered. (PREACH)

— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) March 25, 2015

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