Sterling K. Brown Talks Double Standards in Hollywood On 'We Don't Always To Agree' podcast

Sterling K. Brown isn't new to Hollywood. The Emmy Award-winning actor has worked on many sets, from This Is Us to The Predator, and has witnessed his share of double standards.

On his and his wife, Ryan Michelle Bathe, podcast, We Don’t Always Have to Agree, the actor recently opened up about the racial double standards he’s observed on Hollywood sets. The candid conversation sparked dialogue online as Brown shared his experiences navigating an industry still seeing systemic inequities.

During their "Cancel Culture" episode, Brown reflected on a specific disparity: how frustration and passion are perceived differently when expressed by white and Black individuals. “I have observed behavior of my white counterparts on set where people will get loud...frustrated. And it is couched as being passionate or just sort of, like, animated,” he said. He added, “If I did the exact same thing, I did not get the pass.”

Brown’s observation reflects a reality for many Black professionals in Hollywood: we are not afforded the same privileges as our white counterparts. Actions from white peers may be excused or even celebrated, while similar behavior from Black individuals risks being labeled as aggressive or unprofessional.

Brown also discussed how this double standard influences his own behavior. “When women come into my trailer on set, you can leave the door open,” he explained. “In my mind, it’s always like… I already felt like people were looking for a reason.”

This level of caution is one that many Black men understand all too well. We know that one wrong move can lead to severe consequences, leaving us feeling persecuted to the highest degree. This sense of vigilance is especially heightened when we find ourselves as one of the few—or the only—Black men in predominantly white spaces.

Brown is known for his unflinching honesty and has consistently used his platform to advocate for representation in Hollywood that extends beyond on-screen diversity.

Check out the full episode.

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