Angelica Ross is done being walked all over.
In a series of social media posts this week, the Pose and American Horror Story star has revealed that while under contract with FX, she was strung along by creator Ryan Murphy before being completely ghosted.
Ross had been listening to the audiobook of Zakiya Dalila Harris’ The Other Black Girl, about sinister racism in the corporate world, and was inspired to share her own story.“So, as Nella considered why she distrusted Needles and Pins so much, she also considered what Jesse had said about white people who went out of their way to present “diversity” (1/2) @zakiya_harris #TheOtherBlackGirl pic.twitter.com/2wbJWh4KCb
— A N G E L I C A (@angelicaross) September 18, 2023
Quoting the book, Ross posted a screenshot of an email she received from Murphy on July 3, 2020.
“Remember your idea about a HORROR season starring black women? Well I’m doing it,” he wrote. “Not sure of the story yet, but we will start a writers room in the fall. Along with you, who are the four women I should get? I think you, Keke Palmer, Gabby… not sure of the fourth?”
Of course, Ross excitedly responded, suggesting actors like Debbi Morgan, Lynn Whitfield, Alfre Woodard, Adina Porter, Angela Bassett, Amiyah Scott, and others.
After not hearing back. After sending flowers and no response I sent one last email in Feb 2022 (it took about a year to film season 10 due to COVID) while still contractually in first position with the show. Mind you, marvel had called twice now. I haven’t heard from him… pic.twitter.com/s7HfeABd8j
— A N G E L I C A (@angelicaross) September 18, 2023
Ross revealed that she waited for a response, but didn’t get one. She followed back up several times, and even sent flowers hoping to get a response from Murphy.
“Good morning, up cleaning and organizing and thinking about what season 11’s focus could be and then just thought maybe just ask you that when that formulates if I could be on the producing side as well,” she wrote to him. “I think I could add a lot to the table in the overall storyline if we are still looking to do a Black lead cast. Have a great week!”
It’s not JUST that the idea changed. Things change all the time. It’s that I called business affairs for MONTHS trying to get clarity if they were picking up my contract option or if I was ok to tell Marvel that I was available for whatever they were calling me for. I had been… https://t.co/On0sBPfRTK
— A N G E L I C A (@angelicaross) September 18, 2023
At this time, Ross was under a “first position” contract with FX and the show, meaning that AHS would be her first priority, and she couldn’t take another role until she was contractually released. At the same time, she was also fielding offers from Marvel Studios to audition for a role, but had to turn them down on two separate calls due to her contract.
She further clarified that she wasn’t just upset that the idea of an AHS season led by all Black women was changed, but also that she wasn’t able to audition for other roles at the time.
“It’s that I called business affairs for MONTHS trying to get clarity if they were picking up my contract option or if I was ok to tell Marvel that I was available for whatever they were calling me for. I had been auditioning for THREE YEARS for Marvel. It’s that I was HELD in first position the whole time.”
In a since-deleted Instagram post, Ross gave more details about her first position contract.
“I was under a 7 year contract with FX in what they call ‘first position’. As a series regular, I could not work anywhere else without getting network approval,” she wrote. “While working on AHS season 10 I was told I would be returning to Season 11 and was put on hold for several months. During this time Marvel called a few times asking about my availability. By the time FX released me, Marvel stopped calling. Now it’s been years since I have had an acting job. This is also why we are striking.”
Ross is a brilliant actor, and if she had a chance to add her skills to either the production of an AHS season or to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it would have been a game-changer that would have vastly improved either franchise.
Hopefully, now that she’s called attention to this mistreatment, she can finally get a role in a project she deserves.