Video: Vanessa Williams (@VWOfficial) Speaks On Colorism In Hollywood

Think it’s easier for a light-skinned African-American to get better roles in Hollywood than a dark-skinned African-American??? You better think again.

According to Vanessa Williams, the struggle is spread across all people, no matter the shade.

“Getting a good role is hard no matter what you look like, and Lupita did a phenomenal job,” said the actress, who singled out Lupita Nyong’o’s Oscar-winning performance in “12 Years a Slave” while discussing colorism with theGrio.com’s Chris Witherspoon. “[12 Years a Slave] was the first thing she did out of her tutelage and she’s a brilliant actress… she’s amazing because she embodied that role and made you feel.”

“It’s hard to get good roles anyway, no matter how fair your skin is…no matter how brown your skin is,” continued Williams, who can currently be seen alongside Cicely Tyson in the Lifetime original movie “The Trip To Bountiful“. “It’s up to you to make the best out of each opportunity that you’re given.”

You can see Vanessa Williams speak more on the situation in the video below: