‘Light Girls’ Hollywood And Colorism Tune In On OWN January 19th

‘Light Girls’ Hollywood And Colorism Tune In On OWN January 19th, 9/8c.

Hollywood is often criticized for its casting choices, with many believing that lighter-skinned actresses are given preference over darker-skinned actresses. In the documentary Light Girls, Chris Spencer (Real Husbands of Hollywood), Raven-Symoné (That’s So Raven) and other entertainers discuss how the opposite is sometimes true.

“When I had my own show, I used to tan three or four times a week in a tanning bed to get darker,” Raven-Symoné says.

Ralph Farquhar, producer of popular sitcoms like The Parkers and Moesha, admits that skin color often plays a role in casting. “A lot of times, you know, we might be in a situation where we want to make sure we cast a dark-skinned girl, so we’re passing up the light-skinned sisters,” he says. “You might have a very talented actress who’s being, you know, overlooked because of her complexion.”

Tune in Monday, January 19, at 9/8c.