If you’re unfamiliar with Amanda Seales, she’s a multifaceted figure in the entertainment industry. She has worn various hats over the years, from being a DJ and radio personality to a member of the musical group Floetry. Additionally, she’s recognized as a stand-up comedian and hosts her own podcast show titled Small Doses. However, it’s her acting career that has garnered her the most recognition. Beginning at a young age with roles in shows like My Brother and Me, she now stars in the popular HBO series Insecure.
Recently, Seales took to social media to share an unsettling experience. She recounted attending a Black Hollywood Emmys party with her friends Kendrick and Keke, only to be halted at the door by a white woman named Kiara. Despite being escorted and on the verge of entering, Seales was abruptly denied entry. Faced with such treatment, she made the decision to leave the event.
So, I head over to the curb, and one of my buddies is like, “What’s up? Why aren’t they letting you in?” He’s all determined, saying, “We’ll take care of that.” About 15 minutes later, he comes back, grabs me, and declares, “You’re getting in.” But this thin white woman, Kiara, insists, “Nope, she’s not allowed in.” That’s when it hits me: “Oh, this is about me.” Then Elijah Kelley shows up and asks, “What’s going on out here?” I explain, “I think it’s because this lady won’t let me in.” He’s like, “What? Just come on in.” So I start to go in, and she’s still objecting, but he’s like, “Forget it, she’s gone,” and I just walk past her. I’m thinking, “Why is she so determined to keep me out of this party?”
Later, when Keke and I split up, she returns to find me at the bar, thinking I’ve been mingling. Nope, I’ve been chatting with a security guard who was sent to kick me out. I refuse to leave until I know who wants me gone. Finally, the guard says, “Vanessa from the ANPR group wants you out.” I’m not surprised. I insist on talking to Vanessa because I need to understand why I’m being targeted. There are plenty of people here who aren’t on the list. Why am I being singled out?
“No, I don’t need to discuss that with you,” I stated firmly. Two additional security guards arrived, accompanied by Kiara, who asserted, “No, I’m the one who insisted she leaves.” However, I countered, “Kiara, I’m the one saying she needs to go.” I reiterated my point aloud, addressing the absurdity of the situation. “Let me clarify: I’m being escorted out of a Black Hollywood party, the sole event for the Emmys, because this white woman claims I can’t be here. I just want that to be crystal clear. And you all witnessed me document this in real time on my Instagram.” Their response was a resolute, “Yes, you need to go.”
As I began to exit, I directed my frustration towards the general manager, who had been unpleasant from the moment he approached me. “This is completely unacceptable,” I admonished. Suddenly, a white man intruded, forcefully pushing against me. It nearly escalated into a confrontation, as I refuse to tolerate unwarranted physical contact, especially from those attempting to assert unnecessary authority.
I maintained composure throughout, calmly expressing my desire for an explanation. Yet, they adamantly refused, insisting I depart immediately. Now confronted by four security guards, I found solace in the first guard’s intervention. “Miss, let’s not escalate this,” he urged, diffusing what could have escalated into a volatile situation.
Just for clarity, Amanda Seales clarified that she was escorted out of the Black Hollywood Emmy party by four security guards simply because she wanted to attend. Despite witnessing numerous unlisted guests entering, she wasn’t granted the same privilege. She even witnessed the addition of names to the guest list but wasn’t extended the same courtesy. She later disclosed on her podcast that her ejection was due to a dispute with Issa Rae’s publicist. This revelation raises questions about potential tensions between Amanda and Issa, given their past collaborations. Amanda had previously starred in Issa’s webisode series, “Get Your Life,” suggesting an amicable relationship. However, the conflict with Issa’s publicist may strain their connection. In recounting the incident on her podcast, Amanda openly named individuals involved, including Issa Rae’s publicist, Vanessa Anderson of ANPR. This altercation occurred during the Black Emmy party organized by Vanessa and others a year prior.
The event serves as a celebration of Black Hollywood, offering a space for us to gather and revel after attending other industry parties like HBO or Comedy Central, but with a distinctly Black vibe. Last year, upon my arrival with Jill Scott, whom I collaborate with alongside Issa, I encountered Vanessa. While we’ve crossed paths before, particularly during my web series on Issa’s YouTube channel, our interactions have consistently lacked warmth. Vanessa’s demeanor towards me has always been curt, seemingly irked by my mannerisms and communication style. Eventually, I reached a point where I deemed our exchanges unnecessary, as we don’t operate within the same professional sphere. While I’ll acknowledge her with a greeting if our paths cross, there’s no deeper connection between us. Last year, upon arriving with Jill, she suggested sending her manager ahead to facilitate entry smoothly. As her manager approached Vanessa, I discreetly gestured towards Jill, indicating my companion for the evening amidst the crowd outside. Vanessa’s response? A dismissive remark, indicating she wasn’t interested in engaging further.
I don’t have time for this. And then it was like, what’s going on? Everyone glanced around because I hadn’t spoken, so it felt very odd. Out of nowhere, this person had such a visceral reaction. So I just asked, “What’s happening?” Jill’s manager was like, “What was that about?” He urged me to come along, so we headed into the party, and that was that. Once inside, I mentioned to Issa, “Hey, your publicist, she’s not being very pleasant.” I emphasized that she was being rude, and while I didn’t necessarily need kindness, a basic level of respect would have sufficed. Issa responded, “Well, that’s between you two, right? It’s her party, so it’s not really my place to intervene on how she treats you here.” So, I left it at that.
This year, Jesse Williams invited me to the party. Now, I’m not one for these gatherings typically, but I do appreciate celebrating black culture. So, at the HBO party, I was spreading the word about this upcoming event, telling everyone like Niecy Nash and Sherri Shepherd, you know, just about everyone I encountered. Kendrick, who’s also on Insecure, Regina Webb, Gabrielle Dennis, I was making sure everyone knew. So, Kendrick and I arrived at the party with my friend Kiki, who’s not in the industry. When we reached the door, the attendant asked for Kendrick’s name plus one, which was me. Then she asked for Kiki’s name. Kiki told her, and the attendant noted it down in her phone, saying, “Okay.” We were about to enter when a white woman with a clipboard, who hadn’t been by the rope but was in the front area, suddenly turned around and pointed at me, saying, “No, she can’t come in.”
“She’s not on the list,” they said. Then Elijah Kelley appeared, questioning why I was outside. I explained they wouldn’t let me in. By then, I’d already shared on Instagram that a white woman was barring me from the Black Emmy party. The situation irritated me; it felt like targeting without reason. Elijah decided if they’d kick him out, he’d bring me in. As I entered, the white woman, Kiara, protested, but I brushed her off and walked in. At the bar, while Kiki went to the bathroom, a security guard approached, saying I was to be escorted out. I demanded to know who ordered it. When he mentioned Vanessa, I insisted on speaking with her. But Vanessa was nowhere to be found. Elijah and J. August intervened, trying to resolve the issue. Despite being a series regular and star of ‘Insecure’, I was being ousted because my name wasn’t on the list. Security guards threatened to call the police, but I refused to leave without an explanation. The situation escalated with more guards insisting I depart. In frustration, I declared this treatment at a Black Hollywood Emmy party, where I belonged, as unjust. Defiant, I left, asserting my right to be there despite opposition.