Neighbours star Shareena Clanton has made the bombshell claim that she was subjected to 'multiple racial traumas' while working on the set of the iconic Australian television series on Channel 10.
Clanton, who is a proud Wongatha, Yamatji and Noongar, Gitja woman, opened up on her shocking experience on the show over Instagram, even alleging that the 'N-word' was used several times by other actors during her time on the series.
She added that she had been so traumatised from her experience on the 'highly problematic' show that she sought counselling following a multitude of incidents.
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"Struggling to post anything positive about the months I endured on @neighbours after multiple racist traumas and navigating ongoing counselling from this highly problematic show. It's been lonely, triggering and traumatising to work in such a culturally unsafe space," she began.
She added that she would avoid directly naming specific people so to avoid any potential lawsuits from Network 10.
Listing the various racist incidents that occurred during time on set, the Wentworth star continued: "A Head of Department thought it was funny and appropriate to openly laugh at the word 'cum sl*t' by a cast member who loudly spoke about 'cum', 'cum', 'cum' in front of other cast and crew.
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"Due to my insistence of engaging a Wurundjeri Elder to be included for ongoing cultural safety reasons like cultural protocols followed and debriefing, I was told 'this is not a film production, Shareena' and that 'we simply don't have the budget'.
"The humble few hundred dollars a week Aunty and I proposed was in contrast to the thousands of dollars actors were receiving each pay. I paid Aunty directly out of my own income to make up for this 'lack of budget'".
"A senior staff member openly laughed whilst using the term 'slave driver' in reference to him 'working hard'. My management at the time didn't help as they endorsed/encouraged this 'office banter'. I fired the agent," Clanton continued.
She added that a white actress openly calling another actress of colour a 'lil' monkey' and that she twice endured the 'N-word openly being used on-set and in the green room.'
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"I was even told to 'go somewhere else' by staff when confronting the actor directly because I was making others 'uncomfortable'".
The actress went on to reveal that she had approached HR after a white actress openly laughed at the 'N'-word, only to 'lie about laughing about it when questioned by HR'.
"She said that I 'misconstrued' what she was 'laughing at' and that she was laughing at 'something else'. That is a blatant lie."
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"The retaliation for calling out this misconduct and racism often left me ostracised and further marginalised. In what was meant to have HR follow up and discuss this led to them saying they were unsure of 'what else they could do'".
She concluded with: "I'll never work for this show again."
Clanton is set to portray a character named Sheila in upcoming episodes of Neighbours.
Fremantle Limited, the production company behind Neighbours, released the following statement to news.com.au in regards to the allegations:
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"Neighbours strives to be a platform for diversity and inclusion on-screen and off-screen. Our quest is always to continue to grow and develop in this area and we acknowledge that this is an evolving process.
"Shareena's involvement in the creative process and on set was invaluable and hugely educational and will benefit the series moving forward. There have been significant and lengthy discussions with Shareena during her time on Neighbours and we will continue to work with all cast and crew to ensure Neighbours continues to be a fully inclusive environment."
Featured Image Credit: ABCTopics: TV and Film, Australia