Hollyoaks launches investigation after star Rachel Adedeji accuses soap of racism

HOLLYOAKS has launched an investigation after actress Rachel Adedeji slammed the soap over its ‘disappointing’ stance on the Black Lives Matter movement. The star called the Channel 4 soap’s response “performative and disingenuous” and said “systematic changes must be put into practice.” Now the soap has issued a statement saying: “Hollyoaks has zero tolerance on […]

HOLLYOAKS has launched an investigation after actress Rachel Adedeji slammed the soap over its ‘disappointing’ stance on the Black Lives Matter movement.

The star called the Channel 4 soap’s response “performative and disingenuous” and said “systematic changes must be put into practice.”

Now the soap has issued a statement saying: “Hollyoaks has zero tolerance on racism. We are taking Rachel Adedeji’s comments extremely seriously and are investigating.”

Posting to her Instagram Stories and Twitter last night, Rachel, 28, condemned the show, writing: “I am disappointed with Hollyoaks’ approach to showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement yesterday.

“Did Black Lives Matter when I was told “You’re all the same” by a make up artist you employed, and remains in employment til this day?”

The former X Factor contestant, who plays Lisa Loveday in the soap, was responding to a video posted by the show which involved her on screen aunt Kelle Bryan.

Rachel went on to detail some of the list problems at her workplace – including the lack of diversity in the directing team and shocking slurs from a senior member of production.

She said: “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.’?”

Rachel continued: “Do Black Lives really matter to you if over the last four years at Hollyoaks, I have only worked with one black director?”

Suggesting this was just scratching the surface, Rachel added: “Honestly, the list goes on.

“Having a black cast member speak on behalf of Hollyoaks to show that the work is being done is not as progessive as they think. As a matter of fact, very little is being done behind the scenes.”

Lime Pictures

Lime Pictures

The mum-of-one finished her passionate statement by writing: “Putting out a podcast on racism and asking your black cast members to teach you how to tackle these issues is the bare minimum.
“THINK. DO BETTER.

“I hope Hollyoaks delivers the same energy when #BlackLivesMatter is no longer trending.”

When asked by The Sun Online for a comment on Rachel’s post, a spokesperson for the soap said: “We are really concerned to read Rachel’s comments on social media about Hollyoaks this evening. We will be in touch with Rachel directly.”

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