News | Entertainment
16 Feb 2026 9:01
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
     15 Feb: Heather McComb will remember James Van Der Beek as being "innocent, kind and pure of heart"
     15 Feb: Margaret Qualley felt "overwhelmed" when she began her acting career
     15 Feb: Bunnie Xo has been wowed by Jelly Roll's 300-lb. weight loss
     15 Feb: Jesy Nelson no longer has "time" to make music
     15 Feb: Lena Dunham replaced her friends with a "posse" of cats after moving to London
     15 Feb: Camila Cabello has revealed "it's taken a year" for her hair to recover after she dyed it blonde
     15 Feb: Kylie Jenner has applauded her sister Kim Kardashian for "nailing" the new SKIMS cotton collection
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Middle distance runner Sam Ruthe has been unable to replicate his stunning mile earlier this month at another indoor event in North Carolina More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Prime Minster says he's proud of the India Free Trade Agreement and isn't phased by Labour's raised red flags More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    The Prime Minster says he's proud of the India Free Trade Agreement and isn't phased by Labour's raised red flags 8:47

    Cricket:
    Frustration for skier Alice Robinson after missing a medal at the Winter Olympics 7:57

    General:
    Today in History, February 16: Steven Bradbury's Winter Olympic Games golden miracle at Salt Lake City in 2002 7:57

    Law and Order:
    A teenager's death on the road highlights the risks associated with young and inexperienced drivers 7:47

    International:
    What is FAFO parenting and is it good for kids? 7:37

    Rugby League:
    James Fisher-Harris is asking for league's NRL all-star fixture between the Maori and Indigenous Australians to remain 7:37

    Business:
    Even bigger bills at the supermarket could be on the way 7:27

    Soccer:
    Treacherous Wellington weather has assisted the visiting Central Coast Mariners in a 2-1 A-League win over the Phoenix women 7:07

    General:
    Matt Graham wins dual moguls bronze at the 2026 Winter Olympics 7:07

    Law and Order:
    Police say it could take some time to formally identify a body, washed up on Mahia's Mahanga Beach, near Wairoa 6:17


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd