Aneesh Sheth, known for her role as Secret Service agent Amy Gupta in Prime Video‘s Red, White & Royal Blue has recently spoken out about her experiences on the set of the upcoming sequel, Red, White & Royal Wedding. The actor, who is transgender, shared her story on Instagram on Friday, 11 September revealing the challenges she faced during production.
The film, which began production in January and wrapped in March stars Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez alongside Sheth. Her revelations have sparked a conversation about the treatment of transgender actors in the entertainment industry.
Aneesh Sheth’s Allegations of Mistreatment
In her Instagram post, Sheth expressed her disappointment with the treatment she received on the set of Red, White & Royal Wedding. She wrote, “Huge pay disparity, disrespect, invalidated, silenced…I could go on. In a place I thought would have my back.” Sheth’s comments came in response to a video discussing Elliot Page‘s recent remarks about struggling to find acting work following The Odyssey.
Sheth further elaborated, “I can’t even begin to tell you how I was treated on my last film.” She also mentioned that she had largely been unable to find work in recent years, stating, “Apart from that one job I haven’t worked in over 4 years.” Sheth revealed that a casting director had told her that producers consider trans actors a liability, making it difficult for them to secure roles.
Support from Co-Stars and Industry Peers
Aneesh Sheth’s co-star, Ian McIntyre responded to her comments with a message of support. He wrote, “You dont deserve any of it, and anyone who knows you knows that you should be treated so much better.” McIntyre encouraged Sheth to speak out about her experiences, emphasizing the importance of calling out mistreatment to bring about change.
Sheth replied to McIntyre’s comment, expressing her gratitude for his support. She wrote, “and you KNOW first hand. I’m so grateful you always had my back and were and continue to be so supportive. One good thing came from that – a true friend. Love you babes!!!”.
The Broader Context of Transgender Representation in Hollywood
Sheth’s experiences highlight the broader challenges faced by transgender actors in the entertainment industry. She explained that casting directors and producers often view hiring trans actors as a potential risk due to the political climate surrounding trans issues. She stated, “with everything going on politically, hiring a trans person for a film/tv show could potentially alienate audiences slash not be lucrative.” This perspective underscores the need for greater inclusivity and representation in Hollywood.
Despite her struggles, Sheth remains hopeful and continues to advocate for better treatment of transgender actors. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and respect in the entertainment industry.
The sequel, Red, White & Royal Wedding is directed by Jamie Babbit and features a screenplay by Gemma BurgessMatthew López and Casey McQuiston. While a release date has not yet been announced, the film is highly anticipated by fans of the original series.
