- Sunday, June 04, 2023
By: Sattwik Biswal
A third actor, Sharon Johal from Neighbours has alleged racism on the set of the popular Australian soap opera.
She left the show in March after playing the character Dipi Rebecchi for four years.
Johal, the Australian actress, with Indian roots said she had faced racist taunts from castmates during the show. She felt further targeted when she brought up the matter with the management.
She described it as an “human rights issue” and felt “morally compelled” to voice her experience after two Aboriginal stars did so last week.
The racism allegations on the set of Neighbours were first raised by former cast members of the show Meyne Wyatt and Shareena Clanton.
In reaction, production company Fremantle Media promised to hold a review into the allegations.
Clanton praised Johal’s expression on Tuesday (13), commenting on her Instagram post: “So it begins… I am with you and so proud of you for speaking up.”
Johal released a 1,500 word statement on Instagram, without identifying anyone said she had experienced “direct, indirect and casual racism” on the set.
She said one former castmate compared her to a bobble-head toy, and repeatedly mimicked Indian character Apu from The Simpsons in her presence “with accompanying Indian accent and movement of head”.
Another castmate, still on the show, had also repeatedly referred to her as “you people” when talking about people of Indian descent.
Johal said when she asked what the castmate had meant, she was told: “You know, Indians.”
She was later alerted by crew members that the same castmate had also called her “the black one” or “blackie” behind her back.
Johal alleged they had also repeatedly voiced claims on set that the show had only hired Indian actors to “fill their diversity quotas” and “not because they’re any good.”
She said despite her reporting the incident to the management, there was no action taken and she was more targeted.
Moreover, she also pointed out to the management for moderation of racist abuse was needed for posts going up on the show’s social media accounts.
“I was again sympathised with, but was advised: “We leave the comments as they are for people to discuss.”
However, Johal lauded Fremantle Media’s investigation and requested it to be widened to include all forms of discrimination.
