iCarly star Miranda Cosgrove has made it clear there is no space for racism ahead of premiere of the show's highly-anticipated revival in June after new cast member Laci Mosley was subject to hateful backlash online.
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| Credit: Lisa Rose/Nickelodeon |
The beloved Nickelodeon comedy is heading back to screens with a revival series on Paramount+ and sees actress Laci playing Harper, the new best friend/roommate to Carly (Cosgrove).
After pictures of the new cast were shared online last week, some fans decided to make racist slurs in response to the fact Jennette McCurdy’s character, Sam Puckett, was being replaced by a Black woman.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday (May 16), Miranda reposted a message from the show’s social media page condemning the hateful comments. "iCarly are proud to be racially diverse, not only in our crew but our cast. We have recently seen reports of racism towards a member of our iCarly cast, and it is not acceptable," the statement read. "Please think about your words and take time to understand how what you say can impact other people. Thank you."
Laci also reposted the statement and told her followers: "I really feel taken care of at my job they are the best people."
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| Paramount slammed racist remarks being made towards the new cast member (Picture: Miranda Cosgrove/Instagram) |
Jerry Trainor and newcomer Jaidyn Triplett were among cast members to repost the statement on their respective Instagram Stories.
The A Black Lady Sketch Show star then shared examples of the racist slur being posted underneath her pictures as she added: "I’ve been deleting and blocking people but I can’t be bothered anymore, stay mad.
"I felt silly being upset by racism cause it’s just how this terrible planet is but sometimes it still catches me off guard."
The star also clarified she wasn't "replacing" anybody.
The iCarly star later tweeted that she learned racist comments were also being made about her on TikTok.
"My sister telling me that she saw several videos about me on TikTok being racist as f— broke my heart. Me and my sister are 13 years apart, she's like my child and her having to see this s— broke me. I don't know what's wrong with you people but you need to seek help," Mosley tweeted.
In another tweet, she said, "I'm gonna thug it out y'all can't break me. I've been through too much. But f— you weirdos, being a Black woman is so hard but so lit I'm gonna go harder you'll be mad forever."
In a separate post on Instagram, Laci stated: "I love being Black. I hate how Black people are treated on this planet. I took this role on iCarly because the room is diverse (@chescaleigh you’re a dream) our show runner @ali_schouten is so incredibly kind and caring and the cast is talented and some of the best people I’ve ever met."
The actor admitted she was "shocked" that a "celebration of all the hard work" the cast and crew have put into making the reboot was "overshadowed" by what she describes as "the most racism [she’s] ever experienced in [her] life over the course of 72 hours". "I felt silly being so upset because I’ve been in this little brown body my entire life and racism isn’t new but it still hurts," she stated. Addressing those trolling her in favour of McCurdy, Laci continued: "I’m not 'replacing Sam' I’ve never met her but I know she’s extremely talented and I hope she does not condone some of y’all’s behaviour. Racism kills."
She concluded her post: "I can’t beg you to love me or yourselves enough to be kind to people but I can block you and protect my peace. Thank you to my friends and family who have reached out to check on me I really appreciate you all. Black is beautiful and no amount of slurs or vitriol you dump online will change that."
“Hi, I’m playing Harper on ‘iCarly.’ I’m not replacing Sam. Jennette McCurdy is a wonderful person. I’ve never met her, but it’s no shade,” stated Mosley in the brief video along with the caption “Stop calling me n—-r and being racist.”
In contrast to the bullying, Laci was flooded with supportive messages from her followers, including one who said: "You deserve this role!!!! Forget what anyone else says!!" "I am so glad that this show & some ignorant reactions to your casting is giving the world the chance to see how spectacular you are, my friend!" another fan said.
Giving Laci a virtual hug, another supportive follower commented: "Oh my God I am just horrified that this happened. I am so sorry that this happened to you Laci. You’re so talented you’re such a bright light you’re such a wonderful person I’m just so sorry that this happened."
Mosley later apologized for using expletives, writing, "I shouldn't have been cursing in this response but I was really caught off guard by the onslaught of racist trolls. I deleted a lot of comments but they keep coming on every platform."
"Being a Black woman is exhausting. We all deserve better," she added.
Recently, Miranda and Laci offered a glimpse into their new real-life friendship while sharing photos from the set.
"I've never found a new friend on a job so quickly!" Laci shared on Instagram. "Miranda you're a hilarious, talented, beautiful, and kind individual. I'm so blessed to have you in my life. You deserve all the good things and I hope you have the best birthday babe!"
Miranda would respond in the comments writing, "You're the best Laci. So lucky to work with you."
Laci also posted on Instagram: “I love being Black. I hate how Black people are treated on this planet,” she wrote. “I took this role on iCarly because the room is diverse…our show runner @ali_schouten is so incredibly kind and caring and the cast is talented and some of the best people I’ve ever met. I was shocked when a celebration of all the hard work we’ve put into making this reboot was overshadowed by the most racism I’ve ever experienced in my life over the course of 72 hours.”
The racist attacks against Mosley are sickening to read. However, it is touching to see the iCarly cast and crew as well as fans coming to her defense and standing against racism. As Paramount+ stated, individuals truly need to think about their words before they choose to say or post something. Hiding behind a computer screen on social media doesn't make one immune to the consequences of one's words and neither does it make such words any less painful to the victim. The strength that Mosley demonstrated by holding her head high and showing such grace in the face of such evilness, as well as the support from the iCarly cast, is a strong warning to the attackers to think twice about their actions, because this crew isn't about to let them get away with their racism.
Unfortunately, Laci isn't the first black actor to get abuse just because the color of their skin. When Ghostbusters: Answer The Call was released, former Saturday Night Live star Leslie Jones received a barrage of abuse.
Picking up nearly 10 years after the original show ended, the iCarly reboot finds Carly Shay, the original influencer, and her friends navigating work, love and their family in their twenties.
The new iCarly series will feature two new cast members: Laci Mosley (Florida Girls) as Harper, Carly’s roommate and best friend; and Jaidyn Triplett (The Affair, See) as Millicent, Freddie’s snarky and social media-savvy stepdaughter. Mosley and Triplett will appear alongside returning original series stars, Miranda Cosgrove (Carly), Jerry Trainor (Spencer) and Nathan Kress (Freddie).
McCurdy revealed on her Empty Inside podcast in February that she has left her acting days behind her, saying that she felt "embarrassed" by her early roles.
One of the show's writers, Franchesca Ramsey, also spoke out against the racist comments.
"Hey #iCarly tweeps! I'm seeing a looooot of racist abuse being hurled at one of our stars & I'd love if you'd join me in calling it out it when/if you see it," Ramsey wrote.
She continued in another tweet, writing, "I'm sad this has to be said but if I'm being honest...I kinda expected it. And I hate that. It's heart breaking that Black women just EXISTING results in an onslaught of racist abuse."
"Laci's character Harper isn't replacing Sam. No one could replace Jeanette McCurdy or her incredible talent! But it's both racist as hell & completely unfair to decide that Laci hasn't earned her role especially since the show isn't even out yet!!" Ramsey added.
“Would also ask that you send love to our youngest #iCarly cast member Jaidyn [Triplett],” Ramsey later tweeted. “Thankfully her parents run her social media but that doesn’t make the things being said about her any less hurtful.”
The new iCarly series will premiere Thursday, June 17, exclusively on Paramount+. To find out more about the series, click here.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here.
Originally published: Monday, May 17, 2021.
Original source: Metro.co.uk; Additional sources: TMZ, E! News, Metro.co.uk, Atlanta Black Star, Digital Spy, ScreenRant, The Root, Showbiz Cheat Sheet.
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