Halle Berry drops transgender man's role, Angry Internet drips sarcasm: 'It almost put a dent in your career'
Halle Berry, who is known for her roles in the 'X-Men' series, 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' and 'John Wick: Chapter 3', was all set to play a transgender character in an upcoming film. In an Instagram LIVE interview, she said, "(It’s) a character where the woman is a trans character, so she’s a woman that transitioned into a man. She’s a character in a project I love that I might be doing."
"I want to experience that world, understand that world. I want to deep dive in that in the way I did 'Bruised'," Berry said. "Who this woman was is so interesting to me, and that will probably be my next project, and that will require me cutting all of my hair off." No sooner did the news surface online, many social media users criticized her for misgendering and also claimed that a transgender role should go to a transgender actor.
The actor soon decided to make amends and pulled out of the role. In a statement on Twitter, she said, "Over the weekend I had the opportunity to discuss my consideration of an upcoming role as a transgender man, and I’d like to apologize for those remarks. As a cisgender woman, I now understand that I should not have considered this role and that the transgender community should undeniably have the opportunity to tell their own stories." She then added, "I am grateful for the guidance and critical conversation over the past few days and will continue to listen, educate and learn from this mistake. I vow to be an ally in using my voice to promote better representation on-screen, both in front of and behind the camera."
No sooner did she post this, there were many comments from her fans who felt there was no reason to apologize. "Holy crap Halle, stop apologizing! If anything taking a role like this would have expanded your mind on the issues within the trans community. You aren't appropriating anything. Stop the apologies. You had an interest in learning something. Acting is experiencing," one said. Another posted, "You don't have to apologize, I think people get offended very easily nowadays. I would have loved to see you in that role. Love you." Another said, "Honestly, you shouldn’t have to apologize about that. You are an actress you can play whatever you want."
Many felt her apology was much needed. "Misgendering a trans man and insisting that was a trans man is a 'female story' not only almost put a HUGE dent to your career. It also hurt a lot of fellow trans men’s experiences, as much as it hurt my experiences as a trans woman. I’m glad you listened and I hope you’ll learn," one tweet read. Another said, "Why is Halle Berry playing a transgender man when a transgender man could play a transgender man?" Another tweet read: "Halle Berry must not be serious. Trans men are men, not whoever she is. Transgender folk are NOT acting."
Sharing her post, GLAAD then posted, "We are pleased that @halleberry listened to the concerns of transgender people and learned from them. Other powerful people should do the same. A good place to start is by watching @Disclosure_Doc to learn about trans representation in media."