Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sharon Johal latest to allege racism on Neighbours set

Sharon Johal latest to allege racism on Neighbours set

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.

More For You

Charli XCX’s viral ‘Apple’ dance sparks lawsuit as creator sues Roblox over unauthorised use
Kelley Heyer creator of the viral 'Apple' dance, and pop star Charli XCX, whose track helped propel the routine to global fame
Getty Images

Charli XCX’s viral ‘Apple’ dance sparks lawsuit as creator sues Roblox over unauthorised use

Kelley Heyer, the choreographer behind the viral dance to Charli XCX’s track “Apple,” is suing Roblox for allegedly using her routine in a game without her approval. The dance, which gained massive attention on TikTok and even featured at Charli XCX’s concerts and Coachella performances, became available as a purchasable emote on the Roblox game Dress to Impress. Players could buy the move for their avatars, and Heyer’s legal team says the company made around £98,000 (₹1.03 crore) from it.

Heyer claims she was in talks with Roblox to license the dance but that the company used it before anything was formally agreed upon. Now, she’s asking for a share of the profits and damages for what she sees as misuse of her work.

Keep ReadingShow less
Easter foods

Easter food traditions reveal the deep connection between culinary heritage and faith

iStock

9 traditional Easter foods from around the world

Easter is one of the most important celebrations in the Christian calendar, and across the globe, it’s marked with a variety of traditional foods. While customs differ by country, food plays a central role in how families come together to honour the occasion. Here are nine traditional Easter foods from different parts of the world.

1. Hot Cross Buns – United Kingdom

A classic Easter treat in Britain, hot cross buns are sweet, spiced buns made with dried fruits and marked with a white cross. Traditionally eaten on Good Friday, they symbolise the crucifixion of Jesus. Today, they are enjoyed throughout the Easter period, often lightly toasted and spread with butter.

Keep ReadingShow less
Musk-Modi

Elon Musk's statement came a day after a conversation with prime minister Narendra Modi.

Musk says he will visit India following talk with Modi

TESLA and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Saturday that he is looking forward to visiting India later this year.

His statement came a day after a conversation with prime minister Narendra Modi. The two discussed the potential for collaboration in the fields of technology and innovation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Little Britain

Little Britain resurfaces on TikTok, sparking a fresh wave of outrage and nostalgia

Youtube

Why is Gen-Z laughing at ‘Little Britain’? A closer look at the show’s most offensive jokes

More than two decades after Little Britain first aired, a new audience is discovering the controversial sketch show but not on BBC or Netflix. Instead, Gen-Z has resurrected it on TikTok, where short clips featuring outrageous characters and catchphrases have racked up millions of views. The twist? Many of these viral clips are the very ones that got the show pulled from streaming platforms in 2020.

Created by Matt Lucas and David Walliams, Little Britain was a defining comedy of the 2000s. It won awards, ran across multiple seasons, and even spawned a spin-off, Come Fly With Me. But as societal standards around race, sexuality, and disability evolved, the show came under fire for jokes that many now see as not just outdated but outright offensive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ahsoka

Ahsoka season 1 featuring Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano, set the stage for an epic journey into the Star Wars universe

Star Wars

Hayden Christensen confirms return as Anakin Skywalker in 'Ahsoka' season 2

After much speculation, Hayden Christensen has confirmed he’s returning as Anakin Skywalker in the second season of Ahsoka. The actor made the announcement during the Star Wars Celebration event in Tokyo, sharing his enthusiasm about revisiting a version of Anakin that fans haven’t fully explored in live-action, the Clone Wars-era Jedi, before his fall to the dark side.

Christensen said that bringing this version of Anakin to life has long been something he and Star Wars creator George Lucas had hoped to explore on screen. The new season, which starts filming next week, will give fans a deeper look at that chapter of the character's life, though details about his exact role remain under wraps.

Keep ReadingShow less