HBO speaks out as Lovecraft Country extra reveals her skin was darkened: ‘This should not have happened’

HBO has addressed claims that a Lovecraft Country extra’s skin tone was darkened by make-up artists. 

Kelli Amirah came forward last month to share her experience of working on the horror series, produced by Jordan Peele, JJ Abrams and Misha Green. 

The actress revealed that she was cast to play a younger version of another character for a wedding photo that would appear on the show. 

She then recalled watching her skin getting darker as the make-up artists applied foundation to her face and hands. 

As backlash continued to mount, a HBO spokesperson addressed the situation and said in a statement released to People: ‘We were very disappointed to learn of Ms Amirah’s experience. 

‘This should not have happened, and we are taking steps to ensure this doesn’t occur again in the future.’ 

In her TikTok videos, Kelli explained that she was surprised to get her own trailer and had her makeup done with the rest of the main cast, which is not the usual extra experience. 

As she waited to get her makeup done, the makeup artists discussed how they would create her look with one noting that Kelli was ‘a little lighter’ than the actress she was made to look like but had similar ‘bone structure’. 

Kelli stated that she didn’t feel comfortable with what was happening but felt she couldn’t say anything because she had ‘no clout, no pull, no nothing’. 

‘I was so uncomfortable, I had no idea they were going to do this to me, and if I knew beforehand I would not have accepted the job,’ Kelli said as pictures of the finished result appeared,’ she said. 

Lovecraft Country has become a new hit for HBO and juxtaposes real-life racist threats with mystical creatures inspired by author Matt Ruff. Lovecraft. 

The series, which debuted last August, stars Jurnee Smollett, Wunmi Mosaku, Michael Kenneth Williams and Jonathan Majors. 

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