“They mentioned, ‘You would possibly need to give some actual consideration to altering your identify.’ Now think about somebody giving that recommendation to an actor out loud at the moment, with the local weather and cancel tradition. That is it; they’re carried out. However that is the late ’90s. It was a unique time and, frankly, my first two experiences type of proved the purpose that they have been making,” James added.
After finally deciding to reclaim his final identify, James advised TVLine in 2020, “I notice I basically perpetuated an institutionalized factor of what is damaged about this business, which is, after all, a microcosm of the world we live in. I can not excuse the choice due to youth or naiveté or ambition. The underside line is, I offered out my heritage in about 15 seconds to have a shot at being an actor… [Now] I need to be the very best, most trustworthy ally and amplifier that I could be for my very own neighborhood and for my pals of colour. I do not suppose any of us might try this if we’re not even placing the truest variations of ourselves on the market.”
