{
  "id": 16975649,
  "title": "Naomi Ackie Says Ex-Manager Asked Her to ‘Look Like I’m Mixed-Race’ for Auditions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/naomi-ackie-says-ex-manager-asked-her-to-look-like-im-mixed-race-for",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-28T22:46:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TheWrap",
    "slug": "thewrap",
    "url": "https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/naomi-ackie-ex-manager-wigs-mixed-race-auditions/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Actress Naomi Ackie disclosed in a recent interview that her former manager once requested she alter her natural \"afro hair\" for auditions, claiming it would make her appear \"mixed-race.\" This revelation came during a \"Clayface\" press junket when Ackie recounted the most \"brutal\" note she had received from a casting director while auditioning for a project. Ackie explained that she was facing a year-long struggle to get past the second round of auditions. During this period, her manager suggested she change her hair or even use wigs to achieve a softer curl, implying that doing so would make her look \"mixed-race.\" Both the interviewer and co-star Max Minghella were visibly shocked by the request, with Minghella jokingly calling it a \"fireable offense.\" Ackie, at the time, was too young to voice her objections, but she inevitably complied with the manager's request and used wigs, which ultimately proved beneficial for her career. Ackie reflected that the entertainment industry can be \"bleak,\" and this experience has undoubtedly contributed to her understanding of the challenges faced by artists in the field.",
  "summary": "\"At the time I was young and I didn't say anything,\" the \"Clayface\" actor says of her former rep's request for wigs The post Naomi Ackie Says Ex-Manager Asked Her to ‘Look Like I’m Mixed-Race’ for Auditions appeared first on TheWrap .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}