Angelica Ross shares details on Emma Roberts’ apology phone call for her transphobic comment
Content warning: this article contains references to transphobia
Angelica Ross has shared details on Emma Roberts' apology phone call for her transphobic comment.
Ross, 42, who featured in the 2019 and 2021 seasons of American Horror Story TV series, accused Roberts, 32, of being transphobic to her on set.
The Pose star, who identifies as a trans woman, made damming claims against Roberts star during an Instagram Live on Tuesday (19 September).
Advert
Ross opened up about her relationship with Roberts, which comes after she spoke about her time on the show over on X, formerly Twitter, promising to show ‘receipts’ for her claims.
Before the live, she tweeted: "Will also tell you about the transphobic remarks my co-star said to my face, and the racism I complained about on set that they said was 'free speech'. We on strike so you know I got time this week."
During the live stream, Ross claims Emma playfully complained 'Angelica’s being mean'.
It was then that AHS director John J Grey asked them to start filming again, saying: "Okay, ladies, you know, that’s enough. Let’s get back to work."
To which, Ross says Roberts responded: "Don’t you mean lady?"
"She turns around like this and covers her mouth, and goes back her but can’t see that I’m looking at her deada** in the camera like 'what the f**k did you just say?'"
She claims that after this alleged interaction, she never spoke a word to Roberts again when the cameras weren’t rolling.
Whilst the Wild Child actor hasn’t publicly commented on the alleged incident, Ross claims that Roberts has apologized to her privately.
In a tweet posted on Wednesday (20 September), Ross stated that Roberts had reached out to her: "Thank you @RobertsEmma for calling and apologizing, recognizing your behaviour was not that of an ally.
"I will leave the line open to follow up on your desire to do better and support social justice causes with your platform."
Talking to The Hollywood Reporter about the apology phone call, Ross revealed: "It was a bumpy conversation.
"She apologized and she said, 'I hate that you walked away from our experience together feeling like that. I see in hindsight what I did and how stupid that was. I'm an ally.'
"I was like, 'No, you're not. You can't call yourself an ally. [Allyship] is an action. You need to be real with me in this conversation. I'm being real with you. You were being messy'.
"She said, 'I hope that we can go move forward and fix this. I see you out there doing such great work out there.'"
Ross continued recalling the phone call: "And I said, 'Oh, so you see me? You see me talking about the anti-Blackness? Are you using your platform to amplify the work that I'm doing? No, you haven't. So what kind of ally are you?'"
At this point, Roberts allegedly replied saying she 'would love to support causes' that Ross supports.
"The truth of the matter is, I know Emma's got big balls," Ross went on. "I've seen them on the set, so I'm not surprised that she called me.
"This girl is no damsel in distress, ever."
When asked if Roberts had any explanation for misgendering Ross, the AHS star replied: "She goes, I was really just referring to myself'.
"I said, 'Don't. Don't do it.'"
Remembering the day on set, Ross outlined: "What happened is this, she had not allowed the makeup team to age her that much.
"We were supposed to be aged several years. So I knew from the makeup department about what was going on.
"So she comes to set and I'm like, 'Oh, you look rested'. And she goes, 'John [the director], Angelica's being mean!'
"And he goes, 'OK, ladies ...' And she goes, 'Don't you mean ... lady?'"
"You shaded her and she was trying to shade you back, but she was basically transphobic in what she said," the interviewer then clarified to which Ross confirmed: "That's what happened."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence contact Mindline Trans+ on 0300 330 5468. The line is open 8pm–midnight Mondays and Fridays and is run by trans volunteers.
UNILAD has previously contacted Emma Roberts' team for comment.
Topics: Celebrity, US News, Film and TV, American Horror Story, LGBTQ, Transgender
Rhiannon Ingle