Friends Star Lashes Out At The Show For A Lack Of Diversity

If you’ve ever watched a classic sitcom, “Friends” likely comes to mind. It remains one of the most popular and beloved TV series of its era, turning its cast into household names.

Aisha Tyler was among these stars, joining the show in its later seasons. Her role as Charlie Wheeler in the ninth and tenth seasons certainly made an impression.

Not only did Aisha Tyler bring Charlie Wheeler to life, but she also stood out as one of the few black cast members on the show. In fact, she was the only black actress to have a recurring role, appearing in a total of ten episodes.

Initially introduced as Joey’s girlfriend, Charlie eventually finds herself in a relationship with Ross.

As “Friends” grew in popularity over the years, so did the conversation about its lack of diversity. Both fans and critics pointed out that the show didn’t feature many people of color, a sentiment echoed by Marta Kauffman, one of the show’s co-creators.

Aisha Tyler has also shared her experiences of being part of a predominantly white cast. According to Tyler, the diversity issue wasn’t overlooked even back then; it was a topic of conversation during the show’s run.

She expressed, “It wasn’t as if people only realized it later. Even at the time, there was a lot of discussion about the fact that for a Manhattan-based show, it really didn’t showcase much diversity.”

“But back then, we didn’t have social media, so the conversation wasn’t as widespread as it eventually became,” she added.

Being part of the show meant often being referred to as the “black girl from Friends,” a reflection of the times back then.

Despite the lack of diversity, there were those, like David Schwimmer, who advocated for more inclusion, a point Tyler acknowledges, describing Schwimmer as “wonderful.” She explained how “Friends” mirrored Hollywood’s longstanding belief that “only white stories sold.”

“For years, the prevailing thought in Hollywood was clear,” she continued. “They’d assert that viewers wouldn’t tune in to shows with diverse casts, a claim we now know isn’t true. Yet, such views persist, with some saying a film won’t be successful internationally with a black lead or a gay character.”

Reflecting further, she remarked: “It’s incredible to witness the changes over the years. There’s been a significant shift in how audiences embrace diverse stories, showing the world is ready for more inclusive storytelling.”

“Friends,” with all its humor and memorable moments, also serves as a reminder of how far the entertainment industry has come and still needs to go in celebrating diversity and inclusion. As we look forward, there’s hope for a new wave of stories that represent everyone and resonate with audiences everywhere.