Rachel True of ‘The Craft’ Talks Racism in Hollywood

File this under: nothing surprises me anymore

You know things are not inclusive when a movie stars four women and the Black one is the one who isn’t invited to the press tour. That’s what happened to Rachel True, one of the stars of ’90s cult classic The Craft. Her co-stars were all White.

As we prepare for the reboot of The Craft for 2020 (it released on streaming platforms this week) ZORA talked with True about her work on the film and on her new tarot book.

This quote struck me:

I was excluded from The Craft publicity, which helped [my castmates] to get a higher profile. They did not put Black actors in the “star machine” at that point.

True didn’t want to make a big deal out of it at the time, and her management suggested she chill. So she didn’t say much then. But boy am I glad she is speaking up now. These experiences are key to understanding the breadth and depth of systemic racism and how it even infiltrates marketing plans for big movies. To that end, remember when folks “weren’t sure” that Whites and Asians would go see Black Panther? Time and time again, Black actors are showing that they are a draw and deserve more.

True went on about her business, grew up, and was fine. Her book release shows that. The ZORA story also delves into a number of more modern Black on-screen witches in Hollywood. Of those, I think Kat Graham’s Vampire Diaries turn as Bonnie…