‘Dear White People’ star Jeremy Tardy leaves show following claims of racial discrimination

Stay connected via Google News

Follow us for the latest updates from Unheard Voices

Dear White People star, Jeremy Tardy, will not return for the show’s upcoming fourth and final season.

The actor took to social media on Friday, Sept. 11 to announce his departure from the Netflix series.

Why Jeremy Tardy is not returning to Dear White People

Tardy explained the reasoning for his decision in a series of tweets, writing, his departure is due to pay negotiations and racial discrimination.

“Unfortunately I will not be joining NETFLIX’s Dear White People for its fourth and final season due to my experience with Lionsgate and their practices of racial discrimination.”

“After being offered to return for several episodes my team was notified that our counter offer would… not be considered and that the initial offer was the ‘best and final,” he claimed.

“This news was disturbing because one of my white colleagues — being a true ally — revealed that they too had received the same initial offer and had successfully negotiated a counter offer.”

Tardy didn’t mention any names.

“My team expressed this issue to Lionsgate and the producers maintained their position that the white actor was able to negotiate while I was not- regardless of my credits and experience,” Tardy continued.

“With this information six recurring cast members, along with myself, banded together on Monday, August 30th.”

He called for unity

Tardy went on to describe the cast unity and the outcome he hoped for.

“Our stance was to move powerfully as a unit in the negotiation process and, more importantly, to stand on principle because this is not simply a monetary matter,” he wrote.

“We were all aware of the notorious pay disparities between people of color and our white colleagues on Netflix and Lionsgate shows; so this made it blatantly obvious.”

Tardy explained the salary negotiations didn’t work out as planned.

“However, our collective bargaining power was undermined with side deal offers and lack of transparency. These tactics led to some individuals taking deals before the collective group received a fair and equitable negotiation process,” he wrote.

It’s unclear if Netflix, Lionsgate or both offered his co-stars the deals during that time.

“These companies have recently released statements and even donations in support of the Black Lives Matter movement,” he continued. “I am calling out their shameful practices of discrimination and racial inequality with regard to how they have historically undervalued and lowballed people of color. Politically correct lip service and symbolic gestures do not absolve you of the daily responsibility of doing business in a fair and equitable manner.”

“The fact that this has occurred behind the scenes of a show which purports to address systemic issues of racism and discrimination displays the very epitome of hypocrisy. Lionsgate. Netflix. I see you. We see you,” he closed.