The Bold Type's Aisha Dee Criticizes Kat's New Storyline, Lack of Diversity Behind the Scenes

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Aisha Dee wants The Bold Type to do better. 

The beloved actress took to Instagram Wednesday to speak about her thoughts on representation in the writer's room, as well as the development of her character. 

Dee plays Kat Edison on the Freeform series, an editor for Scarlet Magazine.

Kat Volunteers - The Bold Type

The actress describes her character as "unapologetic, outspoken, brave, the woman I always wished I could be," while also sharing that she is thankful for the show and how it resonates with many viewers.

"I'm proud to be a part of something that has inspired, pushed boundaries, subverted expectations, and started conversations."

Kat Tries Something New - The Bold Type Season 3 Episode 3

However, Dee feels like the show could do better in some aspects, and that's why she is channeling her on-screen character to speak about the show. 

"I'm ready to take a cue from my girl Kat. What would Kat do? She would take a stand and advocate for herself and all other marginalized voices to influence change," Dee wrote."

"I am ready to push harder and speak louder for what matters to me: The diversity we see in front of the camera needs to be reflected in the diversity of the creative team behind the camera."

The actress notes that it took "two seasons to get a single BIPOC in the writers’ room for The Bold Type. And even then, the responsibility to speak for the entire Black experience cannot and should not fall on one person." 

The Bell of the Ball - The Bold Type Season 4 Episode 16

"We got to tell a story about a queer Black woman and a lesbian Muslim woman falling in love, but there have never been any queer Black or Muslim writers in the room," she wrote. 

"In four seasons (48 episodes) we’ve had one Black woman direct two episodes."

Dee said that it took until the third season for the show to hire "someone in the hair department who knew how to work with textured hair."

"In Season Two, Kat is promoted to be the first Black female head of department at Scarlet Magazine," she added.

"We've never had a Black female head of department on the set of The Bold Type."

Flirting Across The Bar - The Bold Type Season 4 Episode 16

Dee also said that the show paid more attention to "white, hetero characters" than to those of the show's "queer characters and POC."

"I do not believe this to be intentional," she explained. "We cannot bring specificity and honesty to experiences we have not lived."

Dee went on to speak about about the controversy surrounding Kat's new relationship.

"The decision to have Kat enter into a relationship with a privileged conservative woman felt confusing and out of character," Dee wrote.

Kat at The Bell - The Bold Type Season 4 Episode 14

"Despite my personal feelings about the choice, I tried my best to tell the story with honesty, even though the Kat I know and love would never make these choices."

"It was heartbreaking to watch Kat’s story turn into a redemption story for someone else," she continued.

"Some who is complicit in the oppression of so many. Someone whose politics are actively harmful to her communities."

Dee said that she's "critical because I care. Because I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact of this show, and I believe in its potential to be better."

Working Girl - The Bold Type Season 4 Episode 13

"The Bold Type has done so much good, but it struggles to understand the intersections many of its characters live in," she wrote.

"For a show that frequently uses words like intersectionality, inclusion, discourse, and the various isms, I wonder how its stories may have been elevated had they been told through the lens of people with a more varied lived experience."

Dee's co-stars, Katie Stevens and Meghann Fahy showed support for her.

Stevens wrote in her caption, "Please read what my girl has to say. I am beyond proud of my sister @aishtray. I stand by her through thick and thin and am so proud of the woman she is."

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for us ♥️

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Fahy shared, "V proud of my sister ♥️ @aishtray."

Remember you can watch The Bold Type online right here via TV Fanatic. 

Paul Dailly was an Associate Editor for TV Fanatic.Follow him on X.

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