Neighbours to conduct review after Shareena Clanton’s racism claims
Ex-Neighbours actor Saskia Hampele has dropped more shocking claims about the show, while an Indigenous organisation will probe racism and homophobia allegations.
Confidential
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The maker of TV’s Neighbours has announced an independent review of its production after explosive claims from actors Shareena Clanton and Meyne Wyatt of racist and homophobic incidents on the Ramsay Street set.
The response came after former Neighbours actor Saskia Hempele made further allegations of inappropriate behaviour, saying she witnessed “a lot of sexism” during her time on the show.
Hampele, who played Georgia Brooks from 2012-15 and who has made guest appearances since, commented on Shareena Clanton’s bombshell Instagram post.
“Whilst I never encountered racism on the show (but am in no way surprised that it existed), I certainly experienced and witnessed a lot of sexism and power structures that protected bullies and bigots instead of calling out and reprimanding abhorrent behaviour,’’ Hempele wrote. “I so deeply respect you for speaking up.”
The independent review was announced on Thursday by the program maker FremantleMedia.
Clanton stood her ground on Wednesday, stating: “I stand by my truth.”
She also slammed the “non-response” and lack of accountability from FremantleMedia and said she did not “make up/allege” anything — she insisted the events happened.
Chris Oliver-Taylor, chief executive of Fremantle Asia Pacific, said the organisation was “committed to providing an environment where employees and others in the workplace are treated fairly and with respect, and are free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and bullying”. He said such behaviour was not tolerated in the company.
“We have asked Campfire X, creative leaders in Indigenous cultural protocols, to conduct an independent review of Neighbours and the production process,” he said.
A Network 10 spokesman also said: “Network 10 does not tolerate discriminatory or racist behaviour in any form.
“We will work with Fremantle, and all cast and crew, to investigate and ensure Neighbours continues to foster a fully inclusive environment.”
Many actors were quick to lend their support to Clanton and Wyatt, including Spider-Man actor Remy Hii, former Neighbours actor turned director Sharon Johal, Wentworth actor Zoe Terakes, and Belinda Bromilow, whose TV acting credits include Doctor Doctor and Packed To The Rafters.
Wyatt, who was a series regular on Neighbours from 2014 to 2016, backed explosive claims of racism on the set of the popular soap. He also claimed homophobia was rampant.
Clanton also alleged being subjected to “abhorrent levels of bullying” and “sexist and misogynistic commentary” during her time on the show.
In the most shocking claims, Clanton said she was exposed to the “n-word” twice, and saw a white actor openly calling another actor of colour a “lil monkey”.
Clanton said on her Instagram page on Tuesday: “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.”
ACTORS BACK NEIGHBOURS STARS
Many actors were quick to lend their support to Clanton and Wyatt.
The Wentworth actor had been the subject of trolling since speaking out.
Spider-man actor Remy Hii commented on Clanton’s Instagram: “These comments are disgusting. We are with you @shareenaclanton.”
Sharon Johal, who played Dipi Rebecchi on the Channel 10 soap, posted three heart emojis on Clanton and Wyatt’s Instagram pages.
Johal, a third generation Australian of Indian heritage, also said she felt triggered by Clanton’s allegations.
Now a director and writer on the long running soap, Johal posted on Tuesday night: “Triggered. Processing. Yet aware, silence can be complicit and painful for others, so if it’s not clear from my activism to date: I STAND AGAINST RACISM.
“And yep, I know what I’m talking about.”
She also posted: “I’m proud of my family. It’s not easy to maintain and embrace your culture in a country where you’re encouraged not to and not seen as equal. For the longest time I denied mine because I wanted to “fit in”.
“White privilege is rife around me, even today, in my circles and I’m exhausted having to explain this to others.
“Do your own research. Open your eyes.
“I have a right to be an “Australian” with Indian heritage that I am proud to identify with.
“It doesn’t make me less than. I’m allowed to be proud without you feeling threatened by it. For those checking in with me today, I say thank you. It’s a lot. #sayitloud.”
In February, Johal revealed she was “incessantly trolled on social media and sometimes even in public, with people saying things like ‘go back to your country’ and ‘you and your filthy children need to leave Ramsay Street.’
Johal added: “They also harass my family, including my non-actor husband after he did me a favour and stood in for a cast member for intimate scenes during the pandemic.
“There’s a long way to go when it comes to representation on Australian screens and in our media. There have been many times when I’ve felt the inadequate consideration made to the intricacies of representing people of diverse backgrounds.”
Zoe Terakes, who co-starred with Clanton in the Foxtel drama Wentworth, said on Instagram: “Standing with you @shareenaclanton. Remarkable, powerful, courageous you. This industry is so f---ing lucky to have you. I love you.”
Actor Belinda Bromilow, with TV credits including Doctor Doctor and Packed To The Rafters, said on Wyatt’s Instagram page: “I’m so sorry and angry this continues. It shouldn’t be this way. I am committed to doing better.’
Mental health advocate and former NRL player Joe Williams told Clanton: “I’m so sorry you experienced this despicable behaviour sis.”
Disability campaigner Carly Findlay thanked Clanton for her “courage” in calling the incidents out, adding: “I am so sorry you had to endure that behaviour. Makes me wonder what happens when they think only white people can hear.”
Findlay added: “I really hope you get an apology and we can see change.”
Melbourne singer-songwriter Jen Cloher also said: “All power to you @shareenaclanton and your courage speaking up in an environment with zero support. I’m sorry you had to endure this treatment.”
‘I CALLED THAT S--- OUT’: WYATT
Wyatt, who was a series regular on Neighbours between 2014 and 2016, backed explosive claims of racism on the set of the popular TV soap.
He also claimed homophobia was rampant on the Ramsay St set.
Wyatt said on Instagram on Tuesday: “I experienced racism on set. It involved the c-word and I called that s--- out and it didn’t happen around me again.
He added: “I did walk in on this incident in particular, so I have no doubt things were being said behind my back. I have too much experience to believe otherwise. And it is disappointing, but not at all surprising, to hear that five years later racism continues to be present in that workplace. But what can you say, we are in Australia.”
Wyatt also said “homophobia … was f---ing rampant” on the Neighbours set, adding: “It made for a very unsafe environment for anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Racism needs an active and present force behind it to be driven out. Homophobia needs an active and present force behind it to be driven out! Neighbours do better.”
Wyatt’s comments followed actor Shareena Clanton’s explosive claims regarding racist incidents on set of Neighbours.
Clanton also alleged being subjected to “abhorrent levels of bullying,” “micro-aggressions of toxicity,” “sexist and misogynistic commentary” “and disrespectful and crude statements” while working at the Channel 10 series in a guest role.
In the most shocking claims, Clanton said she was exposed to the “n-word” twice, and saw a white actor openly calling another actor of colour a “lil monkey.”
Clanton said on her Instagram page on Tuesday: “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.
“To avoid any lawsuit by the production or a potential defamation case, I have not included any specific names and made it non-identifiable in what I’m about to reveal to you.”
Clanton claimed: “(A senior person) thought it funny and appropriate to openly laugh at the word “c-- sl--” by a cast member who loudly spoke about “c--”, “c--”, “c--” in front of other cast and crew.
“Overt and covert levels of racism were rife, often disguised as ‘jokes,’ like a white actor openly calling another actor of colour a ‘lil monkey.’
“Twice, I endured the ‘n-word’ openly being used on set and in the green room. I was even told to ‘go somewhere else’ by staff when confronting the actor directly because I was making others uncomfortable.
“The retaliation for calling out this misconduct and racism often left me ostracised and further marginalised.”
Clanton said when she followed up with HR about her complaints, “this led to them saying they were unsure of what else they could do.”
A spokesperson from TV production company Fremantle said it undertook “significant” discussions with Clanton.
“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,” they said.
“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.”
Fremantle and Channel 10 have been contacted for comment on Wyatt’s remarks.
CALL FOR ‘SHIFT’ AT NEIGHBOURS
After her initial post, Clanton made further claims about the work environment at Neighbours. “Believe the horror stories,” Clanton wrote on Instagram. “I’ve only encapsulated some of the key things I was subjected to.
“I didn’t have enough space to talk about the micro aggressions of toxicity prevalent, the sexist and misogynistic commentary, the disrespectful and crude statements made every day, the deliberate ostricisation of those who called it out and abhorrent levels of bullying.”
In another post, Clanton added: “The entire production needs a shift in cultural education and also reintroduce training around workplace integrity updated codes of conduct.
“I am speaking out so my community and wider audiences are aware of how toxic that workplace is, and had become.”
Clanton, who is of Wangatha, Yamatji, Noongar and Gidja descent, shot to prominence playing Doreen Anderson in Wentworth.
Wyatt, from Yamatji and Wongatha bloodlines, made history as the first Indigenous actor to be cast in the main ensemble, and as a regular character, in Neighbours.
He said on Instagram: “I don’t see a lot of Indigenous actors on the show or on any prime time television series, whether it be Neighbours, Home And Away, anything.
“But these attitudes are prevalent throughout the industry. And we are f----n tired of calling this s--- out. To the production companies, to the networks! Do better, be better. You can always do better. The work is not finished.
“It saves time from me calling you a racist and humiliating you.”
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