An Indigenous actress has opened up about the barrage of abuse she copped from online trolls after she aired shocking claims of racism on the set of Neighbours.
Shareena Clanton made headlines last week when she accused the long-running Channel 10 soap of racism and vowed to never work on the program again.
The Aboriginal star, 30, detailed the claims in lengthy Instagram post, where she accused a staff member of making crude remarks and claimed she heard the N-word used on set twice as she described the show as a ‘culturally unsafe space’.
Ms Clanton plays a recently-introduced character called Sheila Canning, whose packages turn up at the house of the original Sheila Canning, played for many years by Colette Mann.
The actress hit back at critics on Monday by calling out online trolls, as she shared shocking examples of their racist messages after going public with her claims.
Actress Shareena Clanton (pictured) has hit back at online bullies amid her claims of racism on the set of Neighbours
‘Your acting career, along with aborigines. Too many problems for employers,’ one keyboard warrior posted.
Another wrote: ‘Good timing with the release of the King Kong movie.’
One troll cruelly suggested Ms Clanton ‘kiss her token career goodbye’.
‘Back to Centrelink, good luck with it all,’ they wrote.
Ms Clanton described the online bullying as ‘disgusting’ in an Instagram post, sharing several examples with followers.
‘I have been referenced as King Kong, told I am a “problem” and making myself a ‘victim’,’ she said.
‘While having non-POC talk to me how I “should” address these issues of racism and ongoing breaches of human rights (despite already speaking “calmly” and “politely” to the offenders and educating those who continue to be complicit and indifferent).
‘I am now labelled as nothing but a “troublemaker”,’ Clanton posted on Monday.
‘Shame on anyone who condones this kind of racial hatred, harassment, vile discrimination, dismissal of my truths and experiences with ongoing denial of racism at play on Neighbours.’
Shareena Clanton shared shocking examples of the online bullying she’s received – including one message saying her career was over
The Aboriginal actress, 30, alleged on Instagram that there was a toxic workplace environment at Neighbours and that the show was a ‘culturally unsafe space’
Her bombshell claims about the set were backed by former Neighbours actor Meyne Wyatt, who has since claimed been called the ‘c’ word on the show’s set.
Ms Clanton called on others to show bravery by speaking out.
She recalled how one person behind the scenes spoke privately about the sexual harassment they receive on set as well as the discrimination and bullying they have witnessed, but are too afraid to speak up backlash they will receive.
‘I know it’s scary. I know it’s hard and you risk the certainty of work but if we don’t speak up and speak out about these issues so prevalent within our industry, then who will? What’s going to change?,’ Ms Clanton wrote.
‘I, and many others, are not the ‘problem’ in this country.’
She ended the powerful Instagram post with the hashtag #NotAlone and has since been inundated with messages of support from fans.
The described the online bullying she’d received as ‘disgusting’. Pictured is one of the messages
Among several complaints, Shareena accused a staff member of making crude remarks and claimed she heard the N-word used on set twice
The show’s production company Fremantle Media has since announced it will conduct an independent review.
‘We do not tolerate behaviour that does not align to our Anti-Discrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity, Harassment & Bullying Policy and take all complaints very seriously, investigating all allegations fairly and thoroughly,’ Fremantle Asia Pacific chief executive Chris Oliver-Taylor said in a statement.
Fremantle says 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,’ a spokesperson told TV Blackbox.
‘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.’
