Halle Berry Apologizes Over Trans Character Remarks, Backs Out Of Film Role

BY Erika Marie 5.5K Views
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Halle Berry, Transgender, Apology
Halle Berry said she wants to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community and will no longer be considered for the role as a transgender man.

She couldn't deal with the heat, so Halle Berry got out of the kitchen. Over the weekend, Halle Berry was spotted on Instagram Live as she spoke openly about a potential film role portraying a transgender man. "It's really important to me to tell stories, and that’s a woman, that’s a female story – it changes to a man, but I want to understand the why and how of that. I want to get into it," the actress said. Berry was quickly met with backlash over her misuse of pronouns and for playing a trans character when there are trans actors vying for roles.

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Halle didn't take too long to respond to the backlash by sharing a brief statement on Twitter. "I'd like to apologize for those remarks," she wrote. "As a cisgender woman, I now understand that I should not have considered this role, and that the trangender community should undeniably have the opportunity to tell their own stories."

She added, "I vow to be an ally in using my voice to promote better representation on-screen, both in front of and behind the camera." Some people noted that there have been many cisgender or straight actors who have portrayed trans or LGBTQIA+ characters, but it seems that Halle Berry has made up her mind. Read through her statement in full below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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