News | Entertainment
8 Feb 2026 14:45
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Alison Brie is “truly sorry” for voicing a Vietnamese-American character in the animated series ‘BoJack Horseman’

    The 37-year-old actress played the role of Diane Nguyen in the hit Netflix series - which aired its final season earlier this year - and has now admitted she shouldn’t have taken on the role, as she believes people of colour “should always voice” characters who are also people of colour


    She wrote on Instagram: “In hindsight, I wish that I didn’t voice the character of Diane Nguyen. I now understand that people of color, should always voice people of color. We missed a great opportunity to represent the Vietnamese-American community accurately and respectfully, and for that I am truly sorry. I applaud all those who stepped away from their voiceover roles in recent days. I have learned a lot from them. (sic)”

    Alison’s apology comes after Kristen Bell stepped down from voicing Molly, the mixed-race character she played in Apple's 'Central Park’, and Jenny Slate quit the role of biracial character Missy, who appeared in ‘Big Mouth’.

    In a lengthy statement, Jenny announced: "At the start of the show, I reasoned with myself that it was permissible for me to play 'Missy' because her mom is Jewish and white - as am I. But 'Missy' is also Black, and Black characters on an animated show should be played by Black people. I acknowledge how my original reasoning was flawed, that it existed as an example of white privilege and unjust allowances made within a system of societal white supremacy, and that in me playing 'Missy,' I was engaging in an act of erasure of Black people. Ending my portrayal of 'Missy' is one step in a life-long process of uncovering the racism in my actions.

    "As I look back on the nature and emergence of my own voice in comedy, I know that I have made mistakes along the way. I can't change the past, but I can take accountability for my choices. I will continue to engage in meaningful anti-racist action, to be thoughtful about the messages in my work, to be curious and open to feedback and to do my best to take responsibility for the ways that I am part of the problem.

    "Most importantly, though, to anyone that I've hurt: I'm so very sorry. Black voices must be heard. Black Lives Matter.”

    Whilst Kristen said in her own statement: "This is a time to acknowledge our acts of complicity. Here is one of mine. Playing the character of Molly on Central Park shows a lack of awareness of my pervasive privilege. Casting a mixed race character with a white actress undermines the specificity of the mixed race and Black American experience. It was wrong and we, on the Central Park team, are pledging to make it right. I am happy to relinquish this role to someone who can give a much more accurate portrayal and I will commit to learning, growing and doing my part for equality and inclusion. (sic)."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     07 Feb: Khloe Kardashian has "absolutely no fear about death"
     07 Feb: Dove Cameron was "celibate" before meeting her fiance
     07 Feb: Chris Pratt treats every day like Valentine's Day
     07 Feb: Jesse Eisenberg is a "daily patron" of the New York Public Library
     07 Feb: Jennifer Garner once bit a portion of a stunt performer's ear off
     07 Feb: Nick Jonas' daughter needed to be resuscitated shortly after she was born
     07 Feb: Catherine, Princess of Wales has shared a heartfelt message to commemorate World Cancer Day (04.02.26)
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    New Zealand's Paul Coll has won into the last eight at squash's Windy City Open in Chicago More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Many businesses across the country could have unknowingly have a gender pay gap More...



     Today's News

    Rugby:
    New Zealand's Paul Coll has won into the last eight at squash's Windy City Open in Chicago 14:37

    Business:
    Many businesses across the country could have unknowingly have a gender pay gap 14:17

    General:
    Winter Olympics 2026 quick guide: What to watch on Day 2, Sunday, February 8 14:17

    International:
    Savannah Guthrie indicates she will pay ransom for return of her mother in video message to apparent kidnappers 14:07

    Environment:
    State Highway Two through the Waioweka Gorge, which connects Gisborne and the Eastern Bay of Plenty, re-opens tomorrow under special conditions 14:07

    Health & Safety:
    Water warnings along the capital's South Coast are expected to remain for another week, as officials wait for more test results 13:47

    Golf:
    Japan's Hideki Matsuyama is in prime position to pull off a third victory at the PGA Tour's latest stop in Phoenix 13:37

    Basketball:
    A double-dose of positive news for the Breakers as they fight to keep their dim NBL basketball playoff hopes alight 12:27

    Skiing:
    Valentino Guseli missed out on a bonus 2026 Winter Olympics medal, but won something even more important 12:07

    Golf:
    New Zealand golfers will be in contention heading into the final round at the big tournaments in Europe and the United States 11:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd