Jenny Slate, Kristen Bell Quit Voicing Black Characters

Jenny Slate is exiting her role as Missy on the Netflix show Big Mouth due to the character being biracial while Slate is white. “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,” Slate wrote on Instagram. But ‘Missy’ is also Black and Black characters on an animated show should be played by Black people.” Slate went on to say that by portraying Missy she was “engaging in an act of erasure of Black people.” Big Mouth’s co-creators, including comedian Nick Kroll, support Slate’s decision. Hours later, Kristen Bell released a similar statement from show creators regarding her character Molly on Apple TV Plus’ Central Park. Bell said in the statement on Twitter that voicing Molly, who is mixed race, was an act of complicity that showed a “lack of awareness of my pervasive privilege.” Kristen will reportedly take on a new role in the show.