On Friday last week, a Facebook post was drawn to my attention from Seyi Omooba, who that day had been cast in The Color Purple, to play an LGBT role. The statement, from five year’s ago expressed her belief that homosexuality was wrong.
This caused massive debate online about whether or not she should be allowed to continue in the role, given her beliefs.
Read my original blog THE COLOR PURPLE actress says “I do not believe homosexuality is right” despite being cast in LGBTQ role.
Tonight, after six days of silence, Chris Stafford and Nikolai Foster on behalf of Curve and Fiona Allan on behalf of Birmingham Hippodrome have released this statement:
On Friday 15 March a social media post dating from 2014, which was written by the The Color Purple cast member Seyi Omooba, was re-posted on Twitter. The comments made by Seyi in that post have caused significant and widely expressed concerns both on social media and in the wider press.
Following careful reflection it has been decided that Seyi will no longer be involved with the production. This decision was supported by the Authors and Theatrical Rights Worldwide.
The audition process, as ever, was conducted professionally and rigorously, led by an exceptional casting director with actors who are evaluated on what they present in the audition room. We do not operate a social media screening process in the casting of actors.
No further comment will be made at this time.
So it is unclear exactly what has gone on behind the scenes but many people were calling for Seyi Omooba to explain her previous statement and whether or not her beliefs were still true today but so far no comment on that has been made.
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