‘GLOW’ Cast Posts Letter Demanding More Inclusion And Authentic Storytelling On Netflix Comedy Prior To Cancellation – Updated

UPDATED with comments from all cast members: The cancellation of GLOW is a big loss when it comes to the representation of women on TV. Sydelle Noel, Sunita Mani, Britney Young, Shakira Barrera, Kia Stevens and Ellen Wong recently posted a letter on Instagram addressing the lack of authentic inclusion in the series. They sent the letter to the show producers and creators earlier this year during the show’s hiatus before the cancellation.

Noel, Mani, Young, Barrera, Stevens and Wong all posted personal statements in regards to the show’s lack of authenticity and then posted a unifying letter that, before GLOW‘s cancelation, demanded change when it came to the portrayal of women of color.

“We are writing to you today to share some feelings that have been suppressed in all of us for a long time,” the letter starts. “As the principal women of color on a show tackling racist and offensive stereotypes, we have felt disempowered throughout our time on GLOW.

The letter goes on to say that they have expressed their concerns over the three seasons and that their characters haven’t been fleshed out less dimensional. “It has been problematic to use our faces, oftentimes solely in the context of a racist storyline, and to be brief with our story development to serve the in-depth white storylines.”

The cast points out that GLOW is marketing as a diverse ensemble but for the diverse cast members, the show never lived up to the ideals. “Since season 1 the show has planted racial stereotyping into our character’s existence, yet our storylines are relegated to the sidelines in dealing with this conflict or have left us feeling like check boxes on a list.”

They point out that there are zero persons of color in the previous season and feel that this needs to change in order to elevate representation in front of and behind the camera. “We can no longer be quiet about the pain this has caused us and the harm it has done in perpetuating the representation of people of color as sidekicks to elevate white leads.”

In the letter, they invited the show creators and producers to “stand in solidarity” with them in their transparency. They wanted them to take responsibility and be held accountable for enacting change. They asked the producers to hire an Executive Producer or Consulting Producer of color; fully address how portraying stereotypical and racially offensive wrestling personas has impacted their character’s professional lives and personal dignity and amplify their voices and importance with the season narrative.

Read the casts’ personal statements from their Instagram accounts along with the full letter below.

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