A Black Juliet Not "Feminine" Enough? Lets Talk Featurism

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[@fae3821]

This reminds me of Black women in the cottage core, coquette, & cute aesthetics getting anti-black comments like "You're trying to be white" "You're too Black for cutesy clothes and pastels" "Man in a dress" So feminine things are off limits, yet at the same time, if they feel you're not feminine enough they still bash you. Then, if they're very attracted to your body/natural beauty they often accuse *you* of using it to your advantage and doing too much while they sexualize that body type & put it on a pedestal🥱🙄

[@incoco2]

Some stories and places I go too and Know not to Read Comments. Love BW and Girls in Cottage Core ,it looks Cool. The Jealousy is Real !

[@feliznavidad6958]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[@6lackgrlmgc641]

This!!! That’s why I carry myself and dress however I want because people are going to have mess to say regardless

[@Neo.Jordon]

Realise theres bots to trigger you, and the algorithm will bring you to see it. Thats not the reaction beautiful black woman get in real life. The same types of faces will be liked across all races. In Asian, brown, African, and euro, there are "exaggerated" features that are "disliked" in women. Imagine how many white and asian girls are funding the nose job industry....It's not so white girls can look white.

[@Tamara-k3e]

wow true i always see that on social media just sad honestly. Great comment

[@serenitysubs933]

Girl when the winx club reboot came out everyone wanted Aisha... A monoracial darkskin princess to be played by zendaya. Even flora looks more like zendaya then aisha.

[@KeliaBuys]

Yes it was so annoying

[@LifeisaBeautifulting]

Not to mention for fan-castings people were trying to make Zendaya Princess Tiana... please Zendaya doesn't have to be in everything lol

[@Cindy99765]

​@@LifeisaBeautifulting Zendaya and Amandla Stenberg have the black community in a chokehold

[@Inkbkank.2029]

And that’s why black women specifically dark skin black women should protect our image and our spaces

[@pinacolada8921]

​@@LifeisaBeautifultingBut fr tho, I heard people wanted Ariel to be played by Zendaya, people wanted Aisha to be played by Zendaya, and now Juliette as Zendaya too?? Like they act like Zendaya is the only black woman ever. And she's not even black..😂😢

[@MochaLatta]

This is exactly what happened to Lil Kim. Black people said she was ugly (specifically black men) than she completely changed herself to look like another race. Black people were like "boohoo! Why did she do that? She was so beautiful 😢" stop the hypocrisy!

[@lavonnealexander6936]

Smh 🤦🏿 they ruined her self esteem.

[@jasminscarbrough2596]

I grew up on lil kim. For the most part black men we’re not calling her ugly. It was biggie who ruined her self esteem

[@MochaLatta]

@@lavonnealexander6936 I really hope not. She's gorgeous! Ppl hating are jealous or could never get wit her. Lol

[@cheesehead8952]

@@jasminscarbrough2596 Biggie is a black man tho, so black men did ruin her self esteem

[@idivas_Tricia]

She did look better before. I wonder if she has regrets now.

[@rey0girl]

As long as she has the Shakespearian acting skills, who cares? That's what really matters. They always say pick who is good for the role, unless its a black person. Also, sis is cute. She looks youthful and beautiful without doing too much, which is perfect for Juliet

[@theprimitivista]

Does it matter that she is selling herself as a love interest? because it's mainly whyte men on reddit saying that she is not pretty enough for them to have kelled themselves over, which is the entire point of the play.

[@757Princess]

@@theprimitivista that can’t be the point of the play if it was originally casted as two men. Women were not in theatre back then. The theme is young love.

[@theprimitivista]

​@@757Princess She looks like a normal black woman to me. But she deliberately chose a very difficult cutthroat profession in a system of whte supremacy built by them and for them and they're telling sis that she looks like she has a mustache and isn't attractive. She chose that system over Nollywood which makes plenty of movies and is the system built by her people and promoting her people. You can't force men from a different race to call her attractive and say that if they don't think she's cute, they're racist. This is the system and the audience she chose to sell her looks and skills to.

[@rey0girl]

@theprimitivista I don't care what these people think. They aren't people who even go to live theater, much less know anything about Shakespeare. They are saying this because they are hateful people in general. Ignore it. Second, the mindset of not pursuing something because of what people might think is a very limiting one. She auditioned for the role, and she got it. She should take the roles if they are what she wants.

[@Kendricknia]

@@theprimitivista You would not have the same sentiments if it was a bm being talked about in fact people only care about racism and colorism when it pertains to bm. And that’s fucked up. Which is why bw should leave bm alone and that feminism bw alone. We have been walking while everybody else has been running their asses off. Lastly, Francesca should be accepted and respected because she was hired by wm and is playing the love interest of a wm lol. So you saying she should be discriminated against because she’s not “pretty” is fucked up. I can’t wait for the day people start telling everybody else gets excluded and mistreated for being ugly, fat, too feminine, too masculine because bw are always being told we are too this or too that.

[@matxalenc8410]

Some of you are in the comments still talking about "well they should've picked someone that looks like this..." Let me tell you, it's not uncommon in the theater world for them to swap race or gender amongst characters simply to widen the amount of auditioners, or because no one auditioned for a certain part and they chose from the best actors who auditioned for another character. Most likely she was picked because she can act. In theater (at least where I'm at), they're a lot more forgiving in the looks department than what we're told Hollywood is. That being said, she looks like the average Black women. Why do some of you believe you can't be the leading lady in a romance? Even if you didn't believe she was a good-looking average woman, we know "masculine" is not referring to her not being "conventionally attractive", but her being Black!

[@WeShareTheSameAffliction]

She does not look like the average black woman, her looks are below average. They should have picked an above average black women to play Juliette, not her.

[@ninaowusu8157]

​@WeShareTheSameAffliction another weirdo. Just be quiet. Theatres isn't like the movies with toxic Hollywood beauty standards. The theatres I seen are women who look like the everyday person whether she is black or white

[@kekedream]

​@@WeShareTheSameAfflictionbelow average according to whose standards? Whyt ppls I bet 🙄

[@WeShareTheSameAffliction]

@@kekedream I would say black people, lol.

[@shakeykirkir]

@@WeShareTheSameAfflictionOkay, so put your photo on that profile picture since we’re judging appearances because the main ones who love to talk don’t look like much themselves. She already won. You’re in the audience while she’s on stage. I will never believe that black ppl want true black representation. Many of yall don’t love yourselves.

[@PinkCoils]

I saw a fantasy book cover on Facebook the other day featuring an unambiguous black woman. I was really taken aback and surprised. Then I realized just how rare it is to see an unambiguous black woman represented - especially on book covers. This woman was not only unambiguous but also had curves, afro hair, and large facial features. It made me realize that these women, who look like our neighbors and cousins, are hugely underrepresented.

[@oleanderlove6113]

Do you remember the name of the book?

[@fae3821]

This just made me remember an art page I follwed on ig years ago and I haven't seen their posts in a whiiiile. Now I have to find them ✨ 🦋

[@ebonymochi1790]

Have you seen all the AI images… 😢

[@jayneb6053]

name of the book ?

[@PinkCoils]

@@oleanderlove6113 Unfortunately, no. I don't remember the title; I just came across it while scrolling on Facebook.

[@RambleMaven]

Zendaya actually doesn’t go for roles that ask for Black women she particularly goes for roles that ask for white women in the casting call. She has said so in interviews. She understands that Black women get erased often. That’s one of the reasons I actually like Zendaya. She knows when a role isn’t meant for her.

[@shakeykirkir]

In casting calls, roles aren’t typically JUST for one race. Of course, there are exceptions, but most roles ask for a wide variety of races to audition. I have a very hard time believing that considering most roles aren’t specifically for BW or any particular race. I promise, when they’re asking for white women, they are asking for black, asian, hispanic, and biracials as well. Celebrities pander very often, especially when they know you’re supporting them. And she considers herself a lightskinned BW.

[@LifeisaBeautifulting]

I wish Amandla Stenberg was like Zendaya and would stop taking roles that were designed for darkskinned girls

[@shakeykirkir]

@@LifeisaBeautifultingShe still acts…? Honestly, I thought Amanda fell off the planet😭Both of them are two peas in a pod

[@very-good-very-fair]

generally think it's nonsense that Zendaya plays black roles, she is too light-skinned, in my opinion, she should play white roles, to be honest, I doubt that she is considered black, I am sure that white people Zendaya is white, she looks like that, despite the fact that she belongs to two races

[@feliznavidad6958]

@@very-good-very-fairShe's mixed and mostly white Mariah, Megan Markle, and Rashida Jones. The only time mixed can be claimed as mixed.

[@nouramouctar817]

This is why I love your channel. I don’t keep up with pop culture but talking about these topics is so crucial and linking important topics with mainstream stuff for people to really understand how deep these issues affect life is chef's kiss! Thank you

[@mayowasworld]

Thank you so much! What an affirmative message 🤎

[@kadinelindsayart]

Wow, what a beautiful way to word this! ❤

[@DedraTufon]

Well said!

[@tiredoftheworld4834]

Yes I’m tired of people saying it’s only on the internet when I see it in real time ALL the time

[@Intentionaltia]

Amen!

[@talisha5863]

Wow, when white women (lady gaga, Julia fox, miley Cyrus, Renee rapp, among many others) have unique style they are considered intriguing and sexy but when black women express individuality we’re considered weird, offensive and need to go sit down. Why is this person watching your video if they find you distracting in any way….some people always want to silence unambiguously black women, regardless how we present ourselves!

[@crystalmackle5829]

They love to try to "humble" blk women as well 😮

[@Ploopljkklnbvyujvk9yo]

Women and gay men find them intriguing and sexy. I thought the same as you until I started to do more research and realized men keep calling those women trans men, masculine,vulgar ect.

[@Ploopljkklnbvyujvk9yo]

This actress has pretty features but they aren't harmonious. she is average. Lets not live in a delusion. Plus it's doesn't look like she wear makeup. And lets be honest here, they are far more gorgeous black women who have unambiguous black features. It's not just antiblackness.

[@Ploopljkklnbvyujvk9yo]

The actress who played in a popular video game series adaptation, got shitted on too, and she is white. Forgot the series, but it's about zombies.

[@darlingjessi668]

@talisha5863 That's not true. This young woman has a very unique look. Would I call it pretty? No. Beautiful? Absolutely not. But in today's world she doesn't have to be the conventional beauty. However because of that perhaps she should look for roles that embrace her unique look. The role of Juliet is very conventional and if a Black Actress is going to play the role then she has to fit the look and criteria. Skin tone has nothing to do with it. I would say that features do play a role. To play Juliet her features need to be very soft wide eyed and innocent looking. She can't look like she'll kick your butt later!

[@puxkx5827]

The first time I noticed that a slim nose equals femininity was watching Drag Race, where just about all the queens use the nose contour method to create the illusion of a thinner nose. I don't want to judge their art, but I look forward to this trend ending.

[@mayowasworld]

I agreee! I even think most people who show interest in makeup are expected to contour their noses to make it smaller

[@c4tac133]

ME TOO!!

[@PrinceInawRakah]

@@mayowasworld sis, ur nose is not big at all, neither are ur lips.. would you consider your features Eurocentric?

[@badboygoodgirl]

@@PrinceInawRakahno. why do you say that?

[@yusukeGum]

@@mayowasworld you said something about fantasy I also love fantasy because if you want to see fantasy with a Black cast watch Wicked city because it talks about announce black urban witches it came out in 2022 I am really sure that you're going to enjoy this show this series it's very spectacular and entertaining and it's mixed between Charmed and the craft with all Black casting

[@thelovelyz]

chile the way black people invited Tom to the cookout for dating a biracial woman…..idk why that would that make him an aly for our issues????

[@scpeddd]

They are inviting anyone and everyone to the cookouts, it’s embarrassing💀

[@alias4506]

Fr zendaya is literally white passing

[@eenchantress5113]

@@alias4506I disagree. Her full lips wider nose and tan skin. She looks biracial or at least Latina.

[@cygnetlake8017]

@@alias4506 and the way the Blk community tries to ignore that she is a whole white passing woman is laughable. "That's a Black woman!" lol And don't get me started on the switch up on taking only WW roles wave they all seem to be doing now bc they for sure weren't doing that before

[@jamabo0]

Exactly

[@myishenhaines1706]

“She’s not pretty enough.” Since when was Juliet depicted as gorgeous? She was just in love is all. And as you stated, she was originally played by a man so I don’t get it.

[@hopedash5372]

Also the white actress (Claire Daines) that played Juliette doesn't even come close to this girl in the beauty department!!!

[@ninaowusu8157]

Because the racists and koons are pevert, they want a woman for their own eye. I doubt anyone of them are smart to realise this is a theatre. Just like when you did drama class,anyone could have played as Juliet.

[@TamTam9-15]

This! We are so obsssed with female beauty as if a woman isn’t worthy of love if she isn’t beautiful. I won’t compare her to danes but she wasn’t in the same league as Leo let’s be honest but who cared then.

[@713majesty]

Even so, the actress is beautiful😂 People’s anti-blackness is really clouding their judgment on this

[@spacebar9733]

@@hopedash5372 why are we comparing them at all 😭

[@k4nd1incyb3rsp4c3]

literally what about her is masculine... people clearly just mean she looks black, not masculine. very sad to see. and everyone insisting on replacing her with a mixed actress?! how do they not see the irony! These replies are incredibly disappointing... people are obsessed with picking apart and tearing down black women's looks. White actresses do not get this same treatment. Everyone JUMPED to inform me what they think makes her look like a man! I am SO sorry she's not mixed, or doesn't have makeup on, or doesn't wear wigs. Deal with it, this is what natural women look like. It's sad that a woman's bare face offends so many people.

[@marzemarcel9529]

That's what I'm saying! She is cute brown skinned girl playing a princess, I think Juliet was a princess, but her skin tone has people blind and barren. It's sad.

[@JesusisliterallyHim]

i saw comments about a 'mustache'

[@playfulpanthress]

​@@JesusisliterallyHim It isn't a mustache. She has an upper lip. I understand how wyt folk aren't used to that, though.

[@Elektrikkiss]

Even if she had a mustache it's not like they can't conceal it with makeup during the role. It's wild the negative comments towards her​@@JesusisliterallyHim

[@JesusisliterallyHim]

@@playfulpanthress she has an upper lip...real what's that?!! arent yall tired of bringing race into everything? I never mentioned race and yet because its about a black woman. "Yep its those white people".

[@mykareed4774]

Did some of yall in the comments not watch the video… or? The obsession with beauty is strong. I think she is beautiful and cant wait to see her skills as an actress.

[@lotsoflovetoyou]

Things like the last comment are funny to me because I feel that when people say things like black woman look like clowns for the way they do their hair, nails, and make up is still rooted in anti blackness. Like they don't like those styles because they associate it with being black. But then, god forbid, if a black womans self-expression is different from what people stereotypically expect from black women.

[@eenchantress5113]

From what I saw. They were talking about the colors lace front wigs and heavy make up and associated with clowns. I always see them say why don’t they go natural I don’t see that as anti black . I do not agree with them I think women should wear whatever the heck they want. But I don’t know if the I can say they were being anti black if they wanted the lace fronts gone

[@lotsoflovetoyou]

@eenchantress5113 maybe one does see it as directly comparing it to clowns but even then I do not believe it's in good faith and I guess that's just my opinion and I don't think telling a black woman to go natural is anti black in fact I think its rather the opposite but what I was saying is how black women are critized for their appearance whether they are natural or not, which is what personally seen and I believe that that is because of racism and anti blackness.

[@darkfemme4914]

I want to point out that this outcry also has to do with people not being used to seeing women BAREFACED. She has little to no makeup on and no filter. People are not used to how real women look

[@WeShareTheSameAffliction]

Good point, that's so true.

[@lavonnealexander6936]

If that’s her Bareface , I want to look 👀 that black and smooth looking. She looks amazing, damn.

[@darkfemme4914]

@@lavonnealexander6936 Exactly 💯 A lot of other women wish to have the smooth clear skin that she has naturally.

[@shakeykirkir]

@@lavonnealexander6936That’s what I’m saying. That’s why they’re REALLY mad. Pretty, dark skinned, barefaced with smooth skin. They’re not used to it, and I genuinely believe most cannot HANDLE it.

[@princessaroyale]

​@@shakeykirkir in my opinion she's not attractive to me but not because she's black or darkskin but because she doesnt have good facial harmony, her features dont go together well. There are people with the same features as her but look beautiful due to good facial harmony

[@opocoyo]

How black women are treated is really unfair. I’m not dark skinned but I have unambiguous features. I was the only black girl in many classes and I remember how I was treated in secondary school, how I was masculinised, how people would assume that I’m “strong” or be harsher/rougher with me than the other girls. We really have to put ourselves, our skin, hair, features and everything else on a pedestal because others will never do it for us.

[@c4tac133]

The last part!! We are our own solace and that makes community between black girls especially strong

[@universal5313]

exactly I wish all the black people attacking the Juliet actress would understand this idc if you don't find her attractive keep that opinion to yourself but to openly bash her and put her features down is setting us back we need to uplift her because no one else will and we won't have representing for black girls that look like her

[@Luvdarkshadows]

This is so true. I was always tall, thin, and dark skinned with large chest. There was nothing about me that gave "boy" but teachers would send me on errands to lift heavy things if they couldn't get two boys. I'm not strong at all, but people always think I must be even now. One of my friends even asks me to hold spots at the barrier for shows because people will be intimidated by me. It makes me sad.

[@MinecraftKid120]

because yall go out of your way to convince everybody that that's what you are. Black women are perceived in a way that THEY created

[@butterflygirl01]

Even with day to day treatment and how men talk to us. It is always more aggressive and the choice of words is always meaner with bw vs with other races… but they expect for bw to be soooo soft, 😂

[@DB-vt1kk]

I’ve given up on our community. When they sat up there and dragged Gabby Douglas for her hair I checked out. When the rubber meets the road most BP want closer proximity to palm people.

[@far6311]

Lets be painfully honest for a moment: shes not what society views as a "pretty black girl". Shes not coco jones or skai jackson or a young Naomi Campbell, which is why people got so upset. It's sad 😢. When Whitney Houston played the love interest in the movie bodyguard for example, no one had any complaints because she was the stereotypical "pretty black girl". On the other hand, Francesca has a very unique look, so people got really really uncomfortable with that. Its very hurtful

[@kekedream]

Very hurtful indeed, I hope Francesa is strong!

[@youngmarknba]

I agree. All of the women you named have a feature here or there that “offsets” their unambiguous blackness so to speak though if you think about it. Minus maybe Coco. They are also all thin, and their faces are as well. People don’t associate fullness in the face with the beauty they’re thinking of, sometimes they might see it as “cute”. As for the actress of discussion, theres nothing masculine about her! For society’s standards, all she needs is a flower in that fro, some gloss, and a little contour. She has beautiful skin and she’s pretty. In the pictures shes just not dolled up like they would expect. Just my opinion. And to clarify I’m not saying any woman should HAVE to perform in such a way to demonstrate their femininity, but I am saying it’s what the average consumer expects.

[@far6311]

@@youngmarknba it's really just a standard as a woman in general when it comes to "the sexy/beautiful love interest". A latin film would rather cast Sofia Vergara over America Ferrera, a white film would rather cast Megan Fox over Miranda Cosgrove. A black film would rather cast Vivica A Fox over Whoopi Goldberg. It's all about that stereotype of what is beautiful enough.

[@PrinceInawRakah]

The issue is you sisters think that an unambiguous black person is dark skinned with a big nose and big lips.. the sister doing the video doesn’t have most of those features tho.. I’m not understanding the argument

[@Ploopljkklnbvyujvk9yo]

Its like they never met an east african in their life. That kind of mentality is why I didnt see them as black when I was younger. Blew my mind when I realized yes east african are actually black. People want to act like africans have only one sets of features but even central african look différents.​@PrinceInawRakah

[@4theluvofacurl]

You ALWAYS look beautiful & whimsical & lovely. Thank you for doing what you do (educating us) exactly the way you do it.

[@mayowasworld]

Thank you soooooo much!!! 🤗

[@Riri21135]

I think she’s a great choice, how is it in 2024 that an unambiguous blk woman pushed in mainstream , has pl so mad and and stressed like this chileeee😭

[@c4tac133]

Exactly. Given that, I’m just happy as long as the hate doesn’t get in the way of black women getting the roles they deserve. With time, people will get used to it like they had to get used to other less eurocentric things. Nothing will be able to change that.

[@victoriasvibesss]

stressed really is the word lollll

[@PrinceInawRakah]

This is just a weird stance to hold when it comes to a movie about a BW being serenaded by a literal European.. that’s not Eurocentric to yall.. but the fact that a couple of ppl say the sister isn’t that pretty is all of a sudden is Eurocentric

[@JesusisliterallyHim]

what about her is unambiguous? this is clearly a woman.

[@DemureDarlings]

LUPITA is gorgeous and she looks BLACK in every way!

[@Urmumlel7025]

It hurts as an African. If you're saying she is ugly, you say the entire continent ugly. And, we won't take that.

[@mayowasworld]

I was saying to my partner that she looks like a universally black woman. She could be from any part of the world where black people come from. She has the most standard features so it’s wild to say she’s ugly

[@c4tac133]

Exactly

[@JesusisliterallyHim]

"If you're saying she is ugly, you say the entire continent ugly" this is an exaggeration. Shallow people saying SHE is ugly doesn't mean all people of african decent are. Stop putting words in people's mouth

[@pinkturtle2016]

​@@JesusisliterallyHim watch them still get offended by your comment LOL

[@JesusisliterallyHim]

@@pinkturtle2016 no need to watch out. people use a lot of fallacies and its important we educate ourselves on them. America has a very racist society. So pushback on my comment is expected

[@nuggetsnicole4851]

I'm tired of these studios using dark skin black women as rage bait, as a marketing tool to sell these movies. Triggering racists and colorists is really getting tired chile and I wish Hollywood would just stop it

[@mayowasworld]

Yeah but then what’s the solution? To not have them at all? It feels like a loose loose either way

[@the_charmsist]

@@mayowasworldDarker skinned people will never win playing the Hollywood/mainstream media game. The solution is to create more characters and plot lines that you want to see. Thankfully we finally have tech that aspiring film makers can use to create customized experiences for audiences that want to see something different.

[@imjustsaying281]

Unfortunately, people will be triggered either way just because a Black woman/girl/fem is in anything nowadays.

[@tinaye8638]

I don't think this was rage bait though.. Theatre's have always had diverse casts, this isn't even the first time a black woman is playing Juliette in theatre's. The world has just gotten more hostile

[@sabi2557]

@@user-tx8fr1jb2n This theatre company puts on romeo and juliet every year with diverse, (including black) actors playing the lead roles. I think in this case, the reason it got so much attention is because a high profile actor like tom holland is involved which has put this on the radar of people who otherwise wouldn't be aware of the play even existing. Race "swapping", if you can even call it a swap is very common in theatre simply because of the nature of things and the fact that so many actors will play the same roles all the time.

[@a_vh679]

I love dressing feminine but sometimes I can't help but feel guilty-like I'm "hiding" in feminity. I would love to wear baggier clothes sometimes but I'm so scared of being masculinized because it's happened to me before as a darksinned tall black woman :(

[@mayowasworld]

Omgoodness I know this feeling. Like the fear of how you’ll be treated if you’re perceived as masculine. Maybe start small and keep exploring. I kno it’s hard tho

[@kaylad1669]

Forget them. The ppl who would judge you or think that don’t deserve to be considered anyway. Do and wear what you want. It’s freeing to not care about ppl who don’t care about you!

[@mariposaflame4194]

I have decided I will dress how I want and in what makes me comfortable. Oddly enough even dressing in full men's clothes I'm not bothered much. But of course that could be because of where I am and the local population. I'm unambiguously black but my baby is light and people either gender her girl or boy based on how she's dressed, hair style often because of her weight/size.

[@KDee404]

I understand. I'm not considered dark-skinned but far from light-skinned. I've spent most of my adult years wearing backwards caps, beanies and baggy clothes. I work in blue collar and didn't want to draw the attention I usually get from men objectifying my body- plus I like dressing that way in general sometimes. I'm also taller and physically capable. I've been given masculine pet names and expectated to "work like a man" while my non-black or lighter black female counterparts are allowed respect and lighter duties. I totally understand this. It's unfortunate.

[@LawrynScott]

me as a tall darkskin women who gott misgendered TWICE recently, but i think its because i have pcos and my facial hair i forgot to have was showing 😭 smh

[@misscavana08]

"The bare minimum not ally." 👍🏾

[@Chirimoya08]

I think it also has to do with her not wearing makeup in any of these photos. People aren't used to what REAL faces look like with no filters anymore. Oh, and you cute like always!

[@CreationSGame01]

That is definitely the issue. I thought it soo odd that none of her pictures she’s not wearing makeup. As an actress, I’m expecting her to wear make up. So it’s odd to see. Maybe she likes going natural.

[@cheetopuff99_]

Since i wear my mask everyday now( i was never openly disrespected or heard such evil things pre-covid) i hear often how "ugly" and "masculine" along with "most black girls arent pretty" from non black people. Blackness in general is seen as "strong" and the most masculine. For example ive always been more on the "girly" side since i was a child and people take issue with that because they dont think im "pretty" enough to embody what it means to be feminine traditionally. Even black people play into this and barely provide protection and ease for BW who are considered attractive. I think were robbed of our femininity too often as black women....Also claiming very visibly mixed women as black has always been problematic , its unfortunate but if some black people dont say it, many of us believe that phenotype to be superior. Its the reason why having looser hair, light eyes, skinny nose, lighter skin is praised amongst us, "water downed" blackness gets the person closer to being seen as human. ( the opposite being flatter nose, darker skin, kinkier, hair, the uglier youll be considered especially as a black female). Yes thankyou for mentioning the strength word because we use that to help us cope with how the world treats us.I reject the strong word too. We are human and experience a wide range of emotions just as everyone else. We cant handle more emotional, mental, or physical pain just because were black. One more point id like to add: Being less "black" does NOT equate to attractive. There are many non black people who have the light/pale skin, skinny nose, light eyes, etc and are unattractive. Society just doesn't critique whites/ non black people the same way because we are conditioned to give them their full humanity whether they check all the boxes or not. Black people are always under scrutiny, a literal magnifying glass on us for everything we do.

[@WeShareTheSameAffliction]

Totally agree

[@FatHeadEnterprises]

@GochiTelir Exactly. I see them doing this constantly, as if they get points for doing it.

[@crapbag426]

Are you hiding behind your mask?

[@cheetopuff99_]

@@crapbag426 its my coping mechanism. Its what i rely on to feel comfortable going out in public. I just became attached to wearing one since covid

[@cheetopuff99_]

@GochiTelir yeah other groups get to watch enjoy as black people treat each other shitty. We play a part in our own oppression sadly.

[@walkinthewoods981]

This is so true. I refuse to watch any programming that depicts dark skinned BW in a negative light. I had an argument with my friend because I refused to watch Soul Plane. I'm just tired.

[@imjustsaying281]

It really does suck not being able to see yourself in a positive way (rarely) in any medium 😓

[@princessamani]

The way they said we should send forward our best as it looks fitting within the Eurocentric beauty standard is ‘our best’

[@themonsterwithin4000]

Tom Holland isn’t even their best. He gives little boy vibes.

[@ninaowusu8157]

Weird comment. Tom Holland isn't even cute . He is overhyped because he's white, played in spiderman and is coupled with Zendaya. He's not even tall. This is why the downfall of many people is seeing just skin colour.

[@theprimitivista]

"they" run the industry and the world. "Her" men do not. So yes, "they" get to set the standards until men that look like her build and run things.

[@scpeddd]

@@themonsterwithin4000right they are saying all that but that’s YOUR Romeo????? & and most of the people complaining will NEVER go to see the play…

[@shakeykirkir]

@@themonsterwithin4000This made me laugh so hard💀💀💀”Tom Holland isn’t even their best” You ain’t lie🤭

[@ItsAllAnillusion]

Yo that second “we will never be free” had me cracking up 😂😂 0:34

[@palesamogorosi8939]

I had to go listen to that again and it sounds like something you would hear in the movie "Get Out'' and lmao and I am dead😂

[@lavonnealexander6936]

😂😂😂😂

[@j-id2zt]

Lol

[@sherryg1850]

I experienced this all my life as a black dark skinned woman with full lips and a broad nose and the sad part is that it was and still is mostly by my own black people even within the family dynamics and not having people coming to your defense can make it worrse. I love your channel. I admire you because you are not afraid to speak out or speak up for what is right, you give me courage. Thank you.

[@sabrinarae-lym8150]

Not the salamander Tom Holland 😂😂😂😂

[@fetB]

hows that funny

[@sabrinarae-lym8150]

@@fetB is there a problem?

[@fetB]

@@sabrinarae-lym8150 you tell me

[@sabrinarae-lym8150]

@fetB you're the one that fixed your little fingers to ask... without punctuation, might I add...under my comment. Me thinks you have the problem.

[@fetB]

@@sabrinarae-lym8150 what about the question do you not understand

[@niani8359]

People always want black representation until they see a monoracial black person. You hate to see it. 😔

[@shanzoni1200]

Racists and colourist are so funny, like they really losing they damn mind over a West End production that doesn't even really concern them cause they weren't going to see it anyway. Like I guess more eyes were on the production cause of how popular Tom Holland is. But the outrage is super concerning like this is not a feature film in wide release ( though outrage there would still be ludicrous) but the theatre. A place where diverse casting is at least a bit better and a play material with characters that have been adapted and played by so many different races and ethnicities across the globe since like the 16th centuary. The fact that people are being so blatantly racist, idk, even if it is a loud minority is extremely disheartening. Like I fear we're doomed.

[@mahneekaha.nightmare5220]

It doesn’t help that she’s not attractive…

[@BriBee2468]

Exactly, now that I think about could a show like Hamilton, which uses diverse cast be release today?

[@mahneekaha.nightmare5220]

@@BriBee2468 - And Hamilton would have had nothing to do with POC’s or RECENT Non yt POC’s,modern immigrants, who he/they had nothing in common or to do with&most likely wouldn’t like! Again, they are non whit, recent immigrants, who came well after Hamilton acting as if they’re speaking about their own ancestors&legacy.

[@PeaceNStorms]

Agreed with the Tom Holland critique. I love Andrew Lincoln was advocating for Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead & The Ones Who Live). So many online comments were focused on her looks and comparing her to the white wife. Meanwhile, Andrew was constantly raving about her beauty, talent, waiting for her filming schedule to open instead of letting them remove her from the storyline or replace her. Loved to see it!

[@billiealexander3480]

If you ever see the videos of him and Norman with her they're soul food 😍🥰 they both adore her.

[@PeaceNStorms]

@@billiealexander3480 You get it! Honestly I am obsessed. hoping we get to see them on daryl's show

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Thank you, Mayowa, you help me think more deeply about subjects that make me so deeply, deeply, sad. I think part of the hate this actress is getting is from 'scarcity mentality', which conditions people to believe there's only one seat at the table for melanated women, that seat can always be lost, and that one seat has the highest likelihood of being filled by a woman who appears closest to white. It's tragic, because it causes the terror of discrimination to be placed on black women by other black women as well, like 'if this sister doesn't fit a completely impossible standard of beauty/grace/skill, none of us will have a shot next year'. What an enormous weight to carry. White privilege, in contrast, is believing there are infinite seats at the table for you, and believing white actresses are individuals with different goals, dreams, and skills, and are not acting as representatives of their race. I wish Francesca could have gotten to just be a 26 year old woman acting in a play, pursuing her acting dreams. Instead, the whole internet crashed down on her and made her role in this one theater production be yet another toxic pile on about what black women do or do not deserve from life.

[@kekedream]

Perfect comment!

[@mayowasworld]

It’s true! I feel like this is symbolic for where we are at. We will not let black women be great because we will always remind them that they’re not enough. It’s so saddening

[@PrinceInawRakah]

These sisters may be too naive to understand ur intent @FisherFriendsNotFood972.. they’re not as Afrocentric as they make themselves out to be.. and you sensed that, which then made you feel comfortable enough to comment in the first place.. Let’s talk about it tho.. My question to you is… Why do you think it’s appropriate for you to comment on this topic?

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

@@PrinceInawRakah My intent is to expand my knowledge and understanding. I comment to see if my ideas make any sense to anyone else, and if people say they don't, I take that feedback and mull over if I may be wrong about some things. I think it's appropriate for me to comment on this topic because I saw the online discourse and it made me uncomfortable and upset. I want to better understand why I was upset. I could be wrong in my opinions! I am often wrong, about many things. Please trust me when I say I'm here more to listen than to be listened to. I think as long as people approach in good faith and with humility, EVERYONE can and should think about black issues, because black issues are human issues. P.S.-Also trying to support this channel, comments are support in the algorithm, so it can get her content more views.

[@cygnetlake8017]

not gonna lie.... you hit the nail on the head with this observation

[@Elektrikkiss]

You have grown men talking about this girl's looks yet praising tom Holland as if he's some kind of greek Adonis. He looks like a regular white boy and she looks like a regular black girl! Nothing wrong with that but I fail to see the damn issue with these two being cast in this movie as a couple besides obvious racist people having an issue with it.

[@benjaminroman916]

Exactly!!! Tom got lucky with Z. He's not a Henry Cavill!!! Now people expect that all his co stars looking like super models

[@Wurwa45]

Tom is also short asf for a man

[@nicest9344]

There is nothing wrong with being a regular black girl, the problem is this is Shakespeare, in the book Juliet is described as "Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear, Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!" and I'm sorry she is just not that pretty to be Juliet.

[@therealestdrea]

@@nicest9344Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[@QueenNTheMaking]

What’s hilarious to me is how they are so focused on this black woman, as if the male lead is a dream boat. He average and regular af 🙄🙄

[@Jwa-fo6nb]

Yes😂

[@KitanaTulip]

her face is so soft. soft rounded jaw, soft cheekbones, large round eyes, like what is masculine about her?

[@baddieali4476]

@JohnnyStorm1988what’s funny ?

[@NeronistaDeNeron]

She literally looks like the missing link. Why are you trying to fool yourself?

[@atallnobody934]

Honestly feel is what is funny; what is your opinion ?

[@Morquioo]

🐒🦍

[@atallnobody934]

You didn’t answer my question racist ; are you that scared to look at yourself ?

[@adiabelindaineza1718]

Tom not saying anything while the team of POJ, teenagers responded to Leah Jeffries and the director and more of the crew. So yeah..Icky.

[@M.Elle-]

And people are defending Tom saying “he isn’t online so he doesn’t know” 🙄 Always moving goals posts and making excuses.

[@PrinceInawRakah]

@@M.Elle- would black women feel better if Tom made a statement on the topic?

[@rennRRR]

@@PrinceInawRakahYes cause he’s literally her main costar with a huge platform 😭

[@smithsunleashed]

@@PrinceInawRakahshe would! Because she’s her co star

[@Princess_Pixie]

I don’t believe Tom holland and zendaya are exactly pro black. I don’t think they’re racist but I don’t think they would correct any micro aggressions

[@ShadowNightWarrior]

What? Zendaya is literally half black.

[@kekedream]

​@@ShadowNightWarriorhalf is not blk, half is half 🙄

[@smithsunleashed]

@@ShadowNightWarriorThe thing about Zendaya is she speaks for black people when it’s advantageous to her

[@ShadowNightWarrior]

@@smithsunleashed She's beautiful and has talent.

[@cdnm123]

Now y’all doing way too much, zendaya has always defended black women especially dark skinned black women let's not rewrite history

[@lunar3n]

i’m seeing so many comments here saying “but she’s just not attractive enough.” but….why? 🧐 what features would you change about her then to make her more attractive? i’d bet anything that the answer would just be eurocentric featurism. it’s like ya’ll didn’t actually listen to this video.

[@Sweet_Wild_Life_Art]

I think if she would of had some eyeliner on or had longer hair she would look even better.

[@spacebar9733]

@@Sweet_Wild_Life_Art shut up lmao

[@AJUNKWN]

She just not attractive period.

[@PrinceInawRakah]

Both her and the boy are fairly average looking ppl... If yall were Afrocentric yall would be more upset at the interracial relationship, not the fact that the sister isn’t being called gorgeous by all ppl..

[@dalitsojo6327]

Be for real. What is it about her features that make her average looking?

[@sumayzebecreating]

Oooo, the eye makeup is looking delicious ❤😍☺️

[@mayowasworld]

THANK U BOO!!!

[@sumayzebecreating]

@mayowasworld you are so welcome, my cancer sister lol 😁

[@technojunkie123]

I'm SO glad you pointed out how Tom Holland hasn't spoken up in Francesca's defense! It's ridiculous that someone as progressive (supposedly) and well-known as him wouldn't speak up in defense of his literal coworker - especially when he himself has been in a long-term relationship with a half-black woman & the fact that no-one would have even cared or given Francesca this much grief for playing Juliet if he wasn't playing Romeo. It really makes me side-eye the hell out of him 😒

[@ShadowNightWarrior]

Does he have to?

[@ShadowNightWarrior]

@JohnnyStorm1988 Thanks. I'm tired of those crybabies.

[@smithsunleashed]

@@ShadowNightWarrioryeah he does. That’s his costar.

[@smithsunleashed]

@JohnnyStorm1988No one cares about the race Johnny. The race isn’t important here

[@ShadowNightWarrior]

@@smithsunleashed That's her co-star, so what? He owes her nothing.

[@a_vh679]

side note: ur eye makeup is eating 😍

[@Ty-tn5uh]

Whew, I think I need to start producing stuff. Big noses, dark skin, 4c hair, big bodies, little bodies would be every where.

[@naimamorgan6209]

They were mad about a fantasy cartoon mermaid. They definitely mad at a Black Black girl

[@kekedream]

​@JohnnyStorm1988why are u even on this page?

[@mrevilren6507]

@JohnnyStorm1988cry

[@herpderpy9445]

@JohnnyStorm1988 Shut up and put a shirt on, troll.

[@dre-p3058]

Weren't yall the ones complaining about their not being enough black cartoons? And black characters? 😂 this all started with yall complaining. No other race complained about it. Now that yall are blackwashing characters now all the sudden yall don't care? 😂 who u trying fool lol

[@dre-p3058]

​@mrevilren6507 u cry 😂. He's right. Yall the same ppl that didn't see a problem with a black woman playing cleopatra lol. Yall even got Egyptians suing Netflix 😂😂

[@crystalcastillo7575]

Watching Zendaya become the “token black person” in Hollywood these past few years has been crazy

[@AnAdorableWombat1]

Zendaya is pretty. This chick isn't., cant force and gaslight people. It's not working anymore.

[@blackellegirl]

@@AnAdorableWombat1 yeah, but Zendaya is not black. She is biracial. There is a difference between being black and biracial. She should not be representing black girls when she is biracial.

[@reefreef1866]

Most white and like skinned females are unattractive or basic.

[@crystalcastillo7575]

@@AnAdorableWombat1 you’re outta ya mind. Heal from your anti blackness

[@blaquelightning6149]

Yet none of the roles she plays are black so how exactly does that work?

[@ZA-lf4rz]

I’m glad that you mentioned the tik tok trend and I also like that you mentioned that people saying they have hyperpigmentation is rooted in colorism.

[@Victoria_15]

Same because it really is omg

[@rinarina9424]

I'm a black girl and I felt pretty masculinized growing up so I tend to struggle with wanting to be feminine but I'm too lazy to do anything about it tbh and I think I stop caring more and more as I get older which is good. I definitely feel triggered whenever engendered (its happened to me a lot).

[@kekedream]

I think alot of dsbw grow up feeling this way, they're afraid to embrace their femininity because of the meanness ppl throw at them. Black women who will not where dresses, heels or a color lighter than gray because they feel like they need permission to be soft. You don't need permission, be female (however u picture it) because that's your god given right ❤

[@fuzzywuzzythebackyardigans2283]

I am glad you’re not afraid to speak up on these issues! I have definitely seen firsthand how I’m treated differently than my sisters who are darker than me even though we all came out of the same vagina. I am also noticing more and more that if you’re black you’re expected to be strong even when you’re on your death bed, you still have to put on this hardness because no one is going to see you as being weak and in need of nurturing or healing.

[@cheetopuff99_]

yes i just mentioned in my comment how people expect us to endure more pain. non blk People dont respect us generally and i believe enjoy seeing us be hurt mentally, emotionally, physically.

[@aliciamaria2730]

It is so true brown and black skin women arenever seen a soft or protected or pretty or feminine I never really thought about it I have two friends my best friends and they are multiracial and biracial and I never thought anything of it other than I'm just being black and I realize how I have a family member we'll talk about them they were so pretty and all these accolades but when he came to me I wasn't pretty I necessarily didn't deserve any activities my dress wasn't pretty my built wasn't beautiful it's just really crazy and this is from black man these are fromI am an old lady and I have yet to feel protected and cherish by any black man other than my father.

[@blessedone6516]

It's your father's love that matters. The right man will appreciate you as well.

[@metalbabee]

I am so sorry you've never felt protected. Feeling safe and prioritized is so important! Go where you're celebrated. 💕

[@extrashotofespresso_]

The girl being cast as Juliet looks just like me. I didn’t even know this was happening but I’m not surprised. They want the same black-ish chicks representing black women: Amandla, Zendaya. Halle, I’m tired. I will say I am a huge fan of Tom holland, I don’t think he’d really know what to say with this one.

[@Tamara-k3e]

the hate Francesca Amewudah-Rivers gets just breaks my heart honestly ppl not only saying she's "too masculine", "too black", "too ugly" like that's a real person with real feelings what's wrong with our society.

[@theprimitivista]

It's the system she chose to try and sell her looks to. People have the right to not find you attractive. She's in a whte majority nation that is proud of their own identity, culture and beauty standards. They have never wanted to voluntarily change any of that and shouldn't have to.

[@isa_virtual]

⁠@@theprimitivista but even if it's the "system she chose to try" she deserved respect. Wtf is wrong with y'all. Let's not justify what's happening because the industry is racist.

[@theprimitivista]

@@isa_virtual The industry IS racist and she WANTS to be a part of it. No one is forcing her. Nigeria churns out black movies and so does the ATL. But she chose England. And this is what it looks like when you insist on forcing your way into a system that doesn't want your look: disrespect. Either you take the licks that come with being where you KNOW your looks are not wanted or desired, or you try a new system. She doesn't deserve cruetly, but she's trying to fit into a system that she knows doesn't want her when there are other options available to her. Same reason why black women with BBL's aren't trying to be supermodels in Korea, and Korean models aren't trying to sell black women swimsuits.

[@isa_virtual]

@@theprimitivista she's literally british, do you really think she would have that space in another country? don't lie to yourself and stop being obtuse. the WORLD is racist yet we still navigate through it; this girl just wanna work tho.

[@theprimitivista]

@@isa_virtual If she's British, Lupita is Mexican. Lupita had to leave Mexico to find success, so yes, there's space in other countries, stop being obtuse. And the world knows Lupita wasn't about to EVER see success in Mexico. AND WE ALL KNOW WHY. Francesca's living the reality of choosing to navigate in a racist system...she knows its racist and STILL wants to be part of it and so this is what it looks like to try and sell your looks to people who are racist. It's not hard to understand. How many forms of hatred do whyt people have to show you before you stop begging and demanding that they like you and call you pretty? That's a very weird thing to do.

[@hopedash5372]

"He means no harm" .. yeah right.....unbelievable!!! Mayowa you are fabulous and I love your hair...

[@badboygoodgirl]

And we wonder why dating is “so hard” these days. We’re looking beautiful, famous ppl in the face and claiming they aren’t pretty 💀😂

[@Neo.Jordon]

Theres better looking non famous women everywhere. Everywhere

[@isa_virtual]

@@Neo.Jordonyou're just hating

[@Neo.Jordon]

@@isa_virtual on?

[@malaga7122]

You look gorgeous AS ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!

[@mayowasworld]

Preciate you!!!

[@sashabell2390]

And it’s a play too. 99% of y’all wouldn’t be able to see it anyway. This is reminding me of the whole Little Mermaid backlash.

[@cherry2686]

That comment was ridiculous, look unserious? Rude. Dark woman will always get attacked for embracing our hair and features. The society we live in is so anti black for hundreds of years. Craziness

[@ColorWaters]

I like how you define your own definition of beauty. Your hair and makeup compliments the natural you.

[@Orlanzepol123]

A smaller jaw? First time I hear that one.

[@StephanyFeliciano-qg3to]

Maybe a small chin like Korean woman with plastic surgery a small jaw v shape

[@chxrryery4188]

Broader jaws are more sexy and small jaws are considered cuter I think????? And yea v shaped jaw surgery is a big thing in china

[@theprimitivista]

hating big jaws isn't anti-black like this video is stating

[@citizencoy4393]

As an Afro American, these terms and talking points have been going on for decades if not centuries in my community.It’s all rooted in anti blkness. One of the major reasons AAve was embraced OVER standard European English was to push back against the system that says it HAS to replicate yt or it is not right. Look at how blk Americans spoke in the 80’s and prior vs the 90”s and forward. That was blk ppl realizing that the stress of mimicking yts did not guarantee success or respect! So a resistance ensued.

[@citizencoy4393]

I am from the south where blk is bold and beautiful. I simply do not and can not see blk as vile as others do bc the ppl that I see and saw growing up were beautiful! Not only that copied in every way. If blk is ugly WHY DO SO MANY TRY TO COPY? It’s envy meshed with bullying in hopes of diminishing our light.

[@mayowasworld]

You’re sooo right I think AA culture in many ways has subverting the norms and resisted Eurocentric ideals to the best of their abilities. It’s sad when people still center ytness when there’s so much beauty in our cultures

[@hearttwinz4209]

do u mean african american?

[@hearttwinz4209]

or is afro and african the same? (srry im not american im not sure)

[@kaylad1669]

@@hearttwinz4209yes, it’s the same thing

[@wairimum]

Important comment for the people saying that she shouldn’t been cast in the first place and she’s some newbie who got set up(she’s not she has a good amount of film and theater experience, especially theater, which should matter the most) and also goes for the people who are attacking her: When was the last time that you went to a local play🤔? This is not a Hollywood production, this is a play in the west end of London and the majority of people who say that she shouldn’t have been cast in the first place or giving her racist hate and vitriol don’t understand that theater, unlike Hollywood and many other film industries is still mainly based on acting skill not If somebody appeals to eurocentric beauty standards. Plus within this white supremacist system that does not want to see our stories heard at all black creatives have to get a start somewhere (kind of like the Viola Davis speech, where she talked about having to play some rules that made her uncomfortable to get to where she is, sadly, this is mandatory for brown and Black people unders system we live in) and it’s very common for these roles to be played by any and everybody(not even considering historical factors just..like.. right now) she’s not the first black woman to play Juliet and she won’t be the last. The problem here is the hate that she received and where it comes from bc ppl want to act real disingenuous and obtuse. Especially within a time that seems to have more and more “culture wars”(that mainly exist on online, but it’s still real people saying these things and it’s telling of real people processing how common it’s becoming), and reactionaries content creators who exist just for the sole purpose to spread white supremacist ideology and hatred for others. anyways i loved the video but hate the world we live in❤

[@beautifulwoman5126]

This online bullying of this actress really shocked me I personally know people with these features who look like this who I think are beautiful. Personally I have a wide nose and full lips as well. People are showing their true colors. It’s very anti- black.

[@crystalcastillo7575]

Honestly watching people make fun of her for features triggered me to much. Literally started tearing up when I saw those tweets. People calling her the most vile things. It’s so hard to live in world where people just dehumanize you over things you can even control. I’m sick of it

[@AnAdorableWombat1]

😂😂 oh well. You'd be laughing if it was a prettier, lighter chick being made fun of.

[@mgicllmgn6402]

You're so ignorant, and your comment makes no sense, ANYONE with a heart would feel horrible if someone is being called vile disgusting names for the features they were born with and have no control over.

[@blackellegirl]

@@AnAdorableWombat1no we would not…

[@ilovemiuirumalol]

⁠@@AnAdorableWombat1in what world would a “prettier light skin chick” be made fun of? ☠️

[@nocturnenoble2468]

Excellent points, especially about how many solely Black Women and Femmes are depicted in media (positively as beautiful) and I think that comment you addressed at the end was more telling about that individual's skewed (by western beauty standards) perspective on our appearance and acceptance of our appearance (respectability politics got them whipped) in white supremacist society. They sound ignorant of our dynamic potential to express ourselves than the conformity they were insinuating you follow. You look fantastic by the way, all the best.

[@mayowasworld]

Yesss exactly. He wants me to be a “respectable blsck woman” to be taken serious which fuels into the same expectation that we must only put our best foot forward. Thank you for saying this!

[@tajsimms8976]

Zendaya isn’t stealing dark skin black women role. Zendaya is getting white women roles

[@M.Elle-]

True and because she has that option, she needs to stop saying she is a light skinned Black woman. Light skinned Black women don’t have that option to be anything other then Black due to phenotype. Zendaya doesn’t represent Black women and can not identify with Black women. She has never come to the defense of Black women being attacked in the media, either. Case in point, this situation and when she and Keke were compared to each other due to colorism and featurism. Keke had to defend herself but Zendaya stayed silent and let other people defend her (and Black people went hard for her).

[@angelabrown-bessau4127]

VERY true! And some whites are super pissed about that too. When she got the role of MaryJane on Spiderman, some white people, especially females, lost their ever loving minds! They started viciously attacking her online.

[@shakeykirkir]

⁠@@M.Elle-Someone who FINALLY sees past the pandering. FINALLY😩BW will fight tooth and nail with other ACTUAL BW to defend Zendaya for doing the bare minimum. They’re letting her erase us with rose colored glasses on😭It’s so frustrating. They would never defend BW the way they do her because they want to LOOK like her.

[@universal5313]

@@shakeykirkir right it's so annoying they be the same ones complaining about racism yet will treat lighter skin/ bi-racial women better than monoracial black women it's like they see them as more worthy of protection its just so dishearten especially when it comes to social movements like BLM they want us in the front lines doing all the fighting and so many BW will do it just to get hurt/killed then discarded

[@shakeykirkir]

@@universal5313She panders so much and the black community chooses to ignore it. They will praise her for fighting against colorism while she calls herself a light skinned BW…she’s erasing our image before our very eyes and they let her. She’s not that different from Amanda Stamberg or whatever her name is. If we’re being honest, she can’t act. She’s very overhyped (in many areas) BECAUSE she is a light skinned, racially ambiguous biracial that many BW wish they looked like for some odd reason. They do the same thing with all of them and it’s both weird and disheartening. I say it all the time: I do not believe that Black women truly want Black representation. They just want someone they believe to be attractive to represent them. I’m not even gonna say what I wanna say because we know how they get with her😂There are many black girls that should be uplifted the way she is for many things.

[@AstralProjectress]

Love your makeup, the stars are so otherworldly and beautiful.

[@HunnifredBee]

served us nothing less than ethereal goddexxxx lookssssss

[@mayowasworld]

Thank yewwww!!!

[@jams1070]

13:49 calling someone a clown and then saying you mean no harm is soooooo ridiculous. I appreciate the time, effort, and energy you put into your makeup. YES you are a fairy!! So magical and sparkly lol

[@sawyerk641]

Not that the actress isn't beautiful (she is) BUT ALSO this is particularly dumb discourse for Romeo & Juliet. I'm an English teacher, and believe it or not, the character isn't portrayed as being a grand beauty. Compared to other Shakespeare plays, there are very few lines about her apperance, and all we really do know is that Romeo falls for her instantly in the same way that it's implied he fell for Rosalind. What Juliet is is _incredibly_ clever. She talks poetic circles around Romeo, and she's always able to very quickly sus out what the situation is and how best to navigate it. She's also very forward with Romeo physically, and she's very suave about it. Juliet has some _serious_ game and my girl does not want to be a virgin anymore😭 I dunno. Just feel like there's a broader something that could be said about pigeonholing women in romantic roles to the dantiest of beauty standards like that's the first and only reason to consider them as a romantic partner. Also, it needs be said that never in my life heard any Shakespeare enthusiast claim that an actor didn't "look" the part. Shakespeare productions in particular are far more about energy than apperances; I mean my goodness, we've had like, three 40+ year old men play Hamlet in major productions at this point. There have also been other major productions that have flat out changed the gender of characters to see how that illuminates the text; Propspero being played by Hariet Walter comes to mind. I mean jfc people, we've been down this road a million different ways.

[@mayowasworld]

Wow thanks for giving this background I didn’t know all of this about Shakespeare. And you’re right this isn’t the space for discourse of her attractiveness to come into play and also about the daintiness in romance

[@lollabunyxxx]

omg, wonderful insight! i remember loving Juliets character exactly because of her witz and charisma... and she is a certified FLIRT!!!

[@matthewcunningham-cook9404]

I love your comment and agree wholeheartedly! You should make a video about it!

[@ebonymurphy-root9564]

Finally someone smart

[@StruggleReviewzTV]

14:00 I can’t believe someone said that to you I tune in for the commentary as well as your aesthetics, just beautiful! 🌺🦋

[@Topself24]

When it comes to Shakespeare, it’s more about the acting ability than the look. I can’t wait for this sister to blow us away with her talent.

[@Purrl1775]

Let’s just make our own stories and not force ourselves into spaces that don’t even like us.

[@sugarzblossom8168]

Nobody is forcing anyone. The show sold out and it is a play. Not every actor needs to match the orginal

[@universal5313]

no one is forcing anyone I hate this dumbass point but it's even more dumber when you realise race swapping / gender swapping is so common in theatre

[@ChampayneCole]

My issue is Tom Holland ol' basic looking ass being ROMEO?!?! Timotheee busy or sumn?

[@TiktokBro154]

Nothing is wrong with Tom Holland

[@vmarie22456]

You wanna say that Tom hollands “basic looking” but when people bully this girl, and say she’s not that “attractive” y’all get mad

[@ChampayneCole]

@@vmarie22456 IDK who is "ya'll" but I ABSOLUTELY stand by my statement which is why I made it. If people are judging the looks of these characters, I'm choosing to judge Tom. Maybe you should just say what you really want to say instead of trying to play semantics.

[@ChampayneCole]

@@TiktokBro154 I never said something was wrong with Tom. I said regarding playing Romeo -- he's basic looking. If you think he's handsome advocate for it because common sense should tell you -- our opinions aren't the same.

[@Ayepruh321]

You looked 🪄🧚🏿‍♀️✨ ETHEREAL & FLAWLESS last video-beautiful today as always!! 👑

[@ella4175]

It’s so disturbing how people will literally sit on the internet and just degrade this girls appearance. Like what has she ever done to anyone but be an actress? I hope she’s doing mentally okay. 💖

[@zethumpama9653]

This felt like a fever dream. I remember seeing the posts, no matter how much I would report the posts (people literally mixing her pictures with a monkey) I am still taken aback.

[@TheMspoodle2]

I just wanna know why BW keep taking the second handed roles? Why can't there be fresh new roles for BW?

[@ninaowusu8157]

To be fair this is a role for theatre not a movie, so pretty much anyone could be Juliet.

[@Lilboozibert]

Lol it's Shakespeare. That's a resume-maker and audition tie-breaker. Of course, everyone in theatre wants to play Shakespeare.

[@sugarzblossom8168]

Because they are actors and nearly every actor takes a second handed role. Even if there were fresh new roles are black women meant to wait without doing their acting job for new roles to appear that they might not even get?

[@XaraK1]

We don't deserve you, Mayowa. I am so grateful we have u nonetheless. I always learn something from you ❤

[@EbsKnows]

Love you girl also can you speak to the Beyoncé hair situation…cause phew…

[@mayowasworld]

I’m scared 😂

[@mayowasworld]

But you really think I should? I just kno the hive will be ready to attack every word

[@WeShareTheSameAffliction]

​@@mayowasworldPLEASE DO.

[@rosejames5172]

what is the situation? beyonce just showed her hair, what is there to talk about?

[@cheetopuff99_]

@@mayowasworld mute that comment section or make me a moderator and ill delete the disrespectful comments fa ya mayowa !

[@julin8597]

Yeah the hyperpigmentation discourse is ridiculous - does it exist yes - but they are calling everything hyperpigmentation. I have different tones on different parts of my body. It is normal.

[@colinmavrich7131]

I like the colors on your eyes.

[@kekedream]

We all know what THAT CLOWN meant by saying you're unserious 🙄 You look great Mayowa! ❤

[@izzyuncut6332]

This actress is not conventionally attractive by traditional entertainment standards.I’m sure she is very talented but Adut Lupita Yaya Dacosta have similar features and are entertainment standard of attractive and Lupita and YAYa are very talented actresses.This online vitriol is over the top and it seems forced or pushed by marketing as usual for rage bait to sell tickets. The standard has always been having the “looks” and the talent that’s what sells tickets I don’t make the rules sometimes talent is mid but the star quality is so intense the person succeeds like Jlo and Halle. The standard should be the most talented actor should get the part but that has never been thd only deciding factor which is why the entertainment industry is so difficult and most super talented people that don’t have the aesthetics that people drool over don’t go far regardless of skintone.The casting for a role can be so off that the chemistry between actors is awkward and nonexistent like that Lauren London Jonah Hill movie Lauren is considered attractive but it didn’t help.We hope she continues to win and succeed but the reality is sometimes people are just not a good fit for a role.

[@AbianahAlmeida]

That one black woman who said the black community thrives off of abuse was so right. Yea she was wrong on a lot of things but she ate that point.

[@princesscarolyn5716]

The response to her casting was so disheartening

[@rosejames5172]

Stop being disheartened and defend her.

[@princesscarolyn5716]

@@rosejames5172 who said I wasn’t lmao

[@danielaarredonda4536]

I love how you talk about this, It's something that we need to talk as a society.

[@rennRRR]

I literally rememeber going through primary school not thinking i was a girl. For context i went to a pretty white primary and high school as a dark skin black girl with a big nose, ‘hyperpigmentation’ around my eyes, full lips and a round face, and i always felt not ‘masculine’ in a way that would make me feel like a guy but more just not feminine which made me feel like just this ambiguous thing floating out there somewhere. It really ruined things for me for awhile and when i got into HS and i had my tomboy arch i felt like i couldn’t leave it and that was what was expected of me. That it was someone sort of joke if i wore a skirt. Honestly i’m so thankful that I had my best friend (who’s asian) throughout my entire school experience as even though she wasn’t black and our experiences were wildly different, we at least had the one thing of feeling different and slowly becoming m painfully aware of the reason why. But thankfully i’m more comfortable in my femininity now but it doesn’t change what it was like for me growing up unfortunately.

[@chara8231]

You look fabulous as always!🙌🏿😍 To that commenter you mentioned, it's just sad and also laughable. When will people ever get it through their heads that respectability politics has never, and will never work for black people. Smh🤦🏿‍♀️Brilliant video!🤗 I am about to go follow the new Juliette online and show my support to her as best I can🥰

[@youngmarknba]

I like that you pointed out features that are considered beauty standards in African cultures. It’s cool and we need to be more aware of these ideals. It can be difficult to imagine and enforced in a society that promotes the opposite.

[@mrevilren6507]

@JohnnyStorm1988 can be for yourself

[@rewghob]

I'm not sure if it wasn't mentioned in this video, but so many commenters are mentioning America, Hollywood and American actresses and beauty standards. This is a UK theatre production of a Shakespearean play, you know the famous English playwright. I'm not sure why America is being brought up. The UK theatre and acting in general favours skill over looks. However, I do think there is this current trend of white casting directors and producers to go for colour blind casting and therefore provoke the white audience who see European literature and stories as theirs. This girl is not ugly by any means. She has strong features that are common among black people and also a unique look that is all her own, but may not be to everyone's liking. I suspect she has the acting chops for the job. Why do some think she should be changes to appeal to the white gaze? Sadly, a lot of black people are the worst critics of strong, fuller features on black women. I have often seen people dismiss these features and claim that black people have all sorts of features i.e slim because they themselves see strong features as ugly.

[@jjkaisenfirst]

I really like your videos. One thing that i always notice in these castings is that between the male and female leads, they always keep the male white/to their original character, which keeps him safe away from the bashings of online hate regardless if he's conventionally attractive or not, while the female is subjected to online abuse. just something to point out

[@selfproclaimedesper778]

You are such a light to this world and I absolutely love you and your content. You actually inspired me to freeform my locs. I made the big chop last year but i'm about to start again. Never stop being a disruptor. Sending love from florida.

[@JordanMBS222]

If I could respond to everything you said , I would be writing a novel. 😂 All I can say is , Yes ,👏🏽 Yes 🙌🏽 and Yes !! 💕 It’s the “ Ima turn it up a notch for me ❤ . Thank you for always being so on point ❤

[@ruthantiaobong3502]

9:20 preach sister. Where he at tho? Whenever there's a black person going against a metaphorical wall of haters there's no one there backing them up including the person who's probably working side-by-side with them. Like I still have not heard anything from the internet (and I do not have any social media) getting around that says Tom Holland is saying how well she acts and that the way your face look has nothing to do with the quality of your work. But I can't hate on him soley cuz he ain't the only one that stays silent. Thank you for this

[@taotaostrong]

Zendaya is talented. This is not a dig at her, but people would not be nearly as obsessed with the “Rue” character on Euphoria if she were an equally talented chocolate, short haired girl navigating substance abuse, mh issues, and sexual identity.

[@collectivemindsunique7945]

I’m my life I’ve seen and been around some gorgeous, educated, feminine, articulate, and glamorous dark skin goddesses. Men of all races were mesmerized by them too. I want to see way more of this on the screen. Accept and admit the fact that these types of women are just effortlessly gorgeous already.

[@AnAdorableWombat1]

This is a fantasy of yours. Very rarely that men of all races fawn over unambiguous dsbw😂 delusional

[@kekedream]

I don't want to give this guy anymore attention but he is not going to protect this woman like he would Zendaya. Disgusting.

[@lavonnealexander6936]

You mean Tom holland ? If , yes I agree with you. He would only do it, if Zendaya said to do it.

[@kekedream]

​@@lavonnealexander6936Yes I meant Holland.

[@mahneekaha.nightmare5220]

Why tf would you expect him to? Where’s her black man or father, ect? It would be nice if he did but he isn’t obligated. And if Zendaya has to tell him, proves he didn’t care& and neither does Zendaya nor is she obligated to.

[@kekedream]

​@@mahneekaha.nightmare5220He is a man and a woman is being attacked, his costar nonetheless - this goes beyond gender, its about human decency. Ever heard of it?

[@smithsunleashed]

@@mahneekaha.nightmare5220he’s popular and he’s her costar. People are expecting him to speak up

[@mladeau2105]

In the UK, every type of black man is represented on tv and movies but not black women! That's the problem we are considered less for everything we are portrayed on tv as rough, short hair, feisty, poor, if you are overweight your are the chubby funny black women side kick. My work place has every initiative to advance black men but not women. I choose not to support Zendaya other than a biracial model/actress, she is the exception. She pushed more as a fashion icon.