Former 'Hollyoaks' star Amanda Clapham has accused the soap of showing "no empathy", after Rachel Adedeji claimed she had experienced racism on the programme.
Amanda Clapham
The 29-year-old actress - who played Holly Cunningham for six years - has penned an open letter to the show's hierarchy, after Rachel (Lisa Loveday) slammed Hollyoaks' response to the Black Lives Matter movement, and alleged she was once told "you're all the same" by a make-up artist.
'Hollyoaks' responded by saying they are taking her "comments extremely seriously and are investigating", but this has prompted Amanda to speak out, by sharing her letter on her Instagram Stories.
It read: "I loved my time at Hollyoaks. It was an amazing experience for me; I learnt a lot, I made great friends and it changed my life. I'm a blonde, blue eyed, white girl.
"I have a lot of love for Hollyoaks and plenty of friends that still work there, which is why I want you to do the right thing and why I am saying this.
"On your response to Rachel Adedeji on Instagram, I saw no empathy at all. You could have taken less time to respond if that's what you needed but this really does not sit right.
"She has told you about many encounters that will have been traumatising for her and you refer to her messages as 'comments'.
"Let me be clear, I have learnt a lot this week, like I'm sure many of us have. I thought I was anti-racist when in fact I wasn't quite there. It's true, we all need to change.
Please know this is coming from the heart. I hope you respond by apologising to Rachel.
"I want you to say that you are going to improve by proactively making changes within the building in each department. It's the conversation that needs to be had.
"I was on set with Rachel not long after she joined the show and a makeup artist brought out a face powder for her.
"The powder had 'dark' written on it and it was 2 shades darker than Rachel's skin complexion.
"When she asked if she could have the correct powder to match her skin tone she was told, no and that that was all they had. I remember saying to Rachel at the time that it didn't look right at all and I could tell Rachel felt she had no choice.
"This shouldn't have been the case, and I knew then, what I know now, I would have raised my voice in support. (sic)"
Amanda also claimed there were "other black cast members that had to suffer this too".
She wrote: "The examples given are a snapshot of the behaviours I witnessed on a regular basis.
"Whilst I'm not in a position to assign blame on any individual, change is systemically needed for the company as a whole to grow as an inclusive example for its viewers and community at large."
Following Rachel's claims, 'Hollyoaks' announced they are "investigating", and insisted they have "zero tolerance on racism".
A post on their social media channels read: "Hollyoaks has zero tolerance on racism. We are taking Rachel Adedeji's comments extremely seriously and are investigating."
It came after Rachel called for the soap to "do better", after Kelle Bryan (Martine Deveraux) announced plans for the show to launch a podcast about racism.
Rachel responded by writing in a statement: "I am disappointed with Hollyoaks' approach with showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement yesterday. Did black lives matter when I was told 'you're all the same' via a make up artist you employed and remains in employment to this day? Did Black Lives Matter when a number of female black actors were forced to drastically change their hair, because if not, the viewers 'would not be able to tell them apart'? Do Black Lives Matter when my fellow black castmates are deemed 'angry, aggressive and too vocal?' Did Black Lives Matter when referred to as 'bl*****s' by a senior member of the production team? Do Black Lives really matter to you if over the last four years at 'Hollyoaks', I have only worked with one black director? (sic)"
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