Amanda Seales has opened up about her relationship with former co-star Issa Rae.
Shields, who co-starred with Rae on the HBO drama “Insecure,” appeared on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast on Wednesday and addressed the rumored feud between the actresses.
“I’ve never talked about this publicly because protecting Issa has always been very important to me. I’ve never talked about it publicly because I see Issa doing things in this business that very few people can do. Because I know that,” Shields told host Shannon Sharpe. “She’s not interested in getting a $100 million production deal. That’s not the life I want for myself. But I know her role is very important.”
Shields said the conflict with Ray began when Ray’s publicist, Vanessa Anderson, allegedly showed hostility to her at the 2018 Black Emmy Party. Shields allegedly told Ray that Anderson had a “problem” with him, but Ray did not talk about it. Shields claim.
Amanda Seales claims Issa Rae’s publicist banned her from attending industry party
In 2019, Shields attended the upcoming Black Emmys Party. Although the “Get Your Life” star was invited to the event, she claimed she was denied entry because her name was not on the list of approved attendees. .
With the help of his friend and fellow actor Elijah Kelly, Shields was able to attend the party. However, Shields said she was then escorted from the event by security at the request of Anderson, who is said to have been one of the event planners. The actress added that during her escort she was assaulted by one of the security officials.
Shields said Ray contacted him after the incident. “She called me and said, ‘Hey, I heard what happened this weekend.’ I want you to know that I had nothing to do with it,” Shields said. he said, adding that Ray had asked to speak to Anderson.
Mr. Shields said that in a telephone conversation with Mr. Anderson, the spokesperson explained that Mr. Shields was removed from the party because he did not like him. The “Insecure” star said Anderson then launched a “smear campaign” against Shields in the media, claiming that Shields got into an altercation at an event and was “at risk” of being fired from the HBO series. Ta.
Mr. Shields said that in subsequent conversations with Mr. Wray he raised the issue of Mr. Wray’s lack of involvement in the dispute, but to no avail.
“I said, ‘Listen, I’m not saying it’s going to be a problem on set, but I think it’s a problem that I don’t feel the need to intervene,'” Shields recalled. “And she said, ‘Well, then we just have a difference of opinion.’ This is between you guys.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Anderson for comment.
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Shields initially felt protective of Rey while they worked together, but that consideration backfired on her, sparking rumors of bad behavior on the set of “Insecure.” He said it led to
“The theory that people will continue to idle is simply false,” Shields said. “They keep saying that I’m the mean girl on this set, that I harmed these people on this set.”
However, Shields said that due to the dynamic between her and Ray (a co-creator of “Insecure”), any drama on set was unlikely.
“I don’t even have the right to be a mean girl here because you can fire me,” Shields said. “So there’s no way I’m going to be the mean girl in this situation. And I think some people will push back on the confirmation bias that they’ve created, but it’s simply the truth.”
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Shields also claimed that news of his dispute with Anderson alienated him from the show’s production staff. “Everyone knows what’s going on. They don’t tell me anything. It’s just (expletive) meanness,” she said.
Ms. Shields said she stopped communicating with Ms. Ray toward the end of the series. When Sharp pointed out that “Insecure” guest actor Lil Rel Howery pointed out the female empowerment of Rey’s work style, Shields disagreed.
“She didn’t empower me,” Shields said. “She didn’t think I deserved to be protected. I’ll just give you part of the situation. But that was my experience. And yet, I’ve always continued to protect her. Because I felt it was my responsibility to do so. It’s not.
