News | Entertainment
8 Jan 2026 16:07
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
     08 Jan: Tom Brady and Alix Earle had an "instant connection"
     08 Jan: Rachel Zegler has sparked rumours that she has broken up with her boyfriend Nathan Louis-Fernand
     08 Jan: Maren Morris had "the worst sinus infection" days before her New Year's Eve performance
     08 Jan: Jessica Alba has praised her son's "bravery" amid "new changes" following her ongoing divorce from Cash Warren
     08 Jan: Ruth Gibbins has revealed a tattoo that seemingly pays tribute to her late brother Liam Payne
     08 Jan: General Hospital's Adrian Anchondo is dating Days of Our Lives star Colton Little
     08 Jan: Jane Fonda told Mary Steenburgen to embrace ageing during one of their early meetings
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    It's au revoir for AJ Lam after the upcoming Super Rugby season More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Warner Bros has again rejected a hostile takeover bid from media conglomerate Paramount, telling shareholders to stick with Netflix's rival offer More...



     Today's News

    Environment:
    Wild mountain gorilla gives birth to twins in Virunga National Park 15:57

    Entertainment:
    Tom Brady and Alix Earle had an "instant connection" 15:53

    Law and Order:
    Our newsroom understands a three-year-old boy was found dead at an Auckland home on New Year's Day 15:27

    International:
    ICE agent fatally shoots woman amid US immigration crackdown in Minneapolis 15:27

    Entertainment:
    Rachel Zegler has sparked rumours that she has broken up with her boyfriend Nathan Louis-Fernand 15:23

    Law and Order:
    Police are on the hunt for 50 year-old Lawrence Schwalger - believed to be in the wider Auckland areas 14:57

    Entertainment:
    Maren Morris had "the worst sinus infection" days before her New Year's Eve performance 14:53

    Entertainment:
    Jessica Alba has praised her son's "bravery" amid "new changes" following her ongoing divorce from Cash Warren 14:23

    National:
    US boards a ship sailing under a Russian flag: what we know and don’t know about the legal position 14:17

    Soccer:
    A major signing from the Wellington Phoenix 14:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd