Sheryl Lee Ralph Shares A Casting Agent Told Her They Don’t Know What To Do W/ Her While Speaking On The Challenges She’s Faced In Hollywood As A Black Actress: I Remember Thinking D*mn, This Is Rough 

Sheryl Lee Ralph Shares A Casting Agent Told Her They Don’t Know What To Do W/ Her While Speaking On The Challenges She’s Faced In Hollywood As A Black Actress: I Remember Thinking D*mn, This Is Rough

Sheryl Lee Ralph is getting candid about the struggles she’s faced as a black actress in Hollywood!

During a recent interview on the “Jemele Hill is Unbothered” podcast, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph opened up about the hardships she has faced in Hollywood and the many negative remarks she has received over her 40+ year career. During her chat with Jemele Hill, the “Abbott Elementary” actress recalled a time when she had an interview with a big-time Hollywood casting agent who unfortunately had some discouraging words for her. Sheryl explained,

“I had a big interview with a big hollywood casting agent who looked at me and said, ‘everybody knows you’re beautiful talented black girl, but what do we do with a beautiful talented black girl? Do we put you in a movie with Tom Cruise, does he kiss you? Who goes to see that movie?'”

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Despite the negative remark, Sheryl Lee Ralph wasn’t going to let that stop her. She remembered how she felt after the meeting.

“I remember thinking d*mn, this is rough…This town ain’t going to get me, I know I belong right here.”

She goes on to recall a time when actor Robert De Niro paid her a huge compliment while also giving her the harsh truth about Hollywood. The “Moesha” actress said,

“Robert De Niro looks at me after doing a scene and he says, ‘You are damn good. DGA–damn good actress. It’s sad because Hollywood is not looking for you, so you better climb that mountain and wave the red flag and let them know you’re here because they’re not looking for you.”

Robert De Niro

While the negative comments were sometimes discouraging, Sheryl Lee Ralph knew that she could not give up. She explained,

“I’m being consistently told that I deserve to be here, that I’m good, that I belong.. I had to become unbothered by all of this and just carry on and do what I know I was meant to do.”

See the video below:

On Monday (Sept.12), at the 74th Annual Emmy Awards, Sheryl Lee Ralph was named outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her role in Abbott Elementary, making her the second Black woman to win in the category, 35 years after Jackée Harry.

Following the triumphant win, Jackeé Harry — who won her historic Emmy in 1987 for her role on “227″ — took a moment to congratulate her peer on her achievement.

“Winning my Emmy was a career highlight, but it was also a lonely experience. For 35 years I’ve been the only black woman to win Outstanding Supporting Actresses in a Comedy Series. But that all changes tonight… and it’s come full circle!”

Jackeé Harry

Speaking of a full circle moment, Jackeé also revealed that Sheryl was originally set to be on the hit show, 227. She explained,

“The network originally wanted @thesherylleeralph to play Sandra on 227, but I got the part and won an Emmy for it. Now, Sheryl joins me as the 2nd black woman in this category and deservedly so!  I’m so excited  for her Emmys win!”

Congratulations to Sheryl Lee Ralph! What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!  

 [VIA]