It has been quite awhile since we heard anything from NBC’s “Heroes,” since its cancelled reboot/miniseries in 2015.

Now actor, Leonard Stewart, is making accusations of racism on the show and racial tension between he and co-star, Ali Larter,  for being the reason he was written off the series after the first season.

In an essay he penned for Variety Magazine he elaborately explains is issues with Ali and how his concerns were never taken seriously as a series regular. Check out an insert of the essay below:

As production began, I looked forward to sharing my thoughts on my character with the writing staff, as I heard other cast members had done the same with theirs. Unfortunately, no such meeting ever materialized. Then I learned that despite the show’s three Black series regulars, there were no Black writers on staff. After a particularly odd promotional photoshoot — in which all the Black adult series regulars were relegated to the back and sides of photo after photo because, we were told, we were “tall” — I was approached by Tim Kring, the creator of the show. He told me my character would not be introduced in the second episode, but that great ideas were on the way. I sat on the sidelines for the second, third, fourth and fifth episodes. Finally, I was excited to learn that Episode 6 would mark my debut.

Episode 6 began filming in August 2006. D.L. Hawkins was in an interracial marriage with Niki Sanders, a white woman played by Ali Larter. The script suggested D.L. and Niki had a volatile relationship — and it wasn’t long before art was imitating life, with me on the receiving end of pushback from my co-star regarding the playing of a particularly tense scene. Coming from theater, I was familiar with passions running high in the process of bringing characters to life, so I later gave her a bottle of wine with a note affirming what I believed to be mutual respect and a shared commitment to doing exceptional work. Neither the gift nor the note was ever acknowledged.

On another occasion, during the staging of a bedroom scene, my co-star took umbrage with the level of intimacy being suggested between our characters. In a private rehearsal, Greg Beeman, our director, asked if she was willing to lower the straps of the top she was wearing and expose her bare shoulders only above the sheet that covered her, in order to give the visual impression she was in the same state of undress as me, as I was shirtless. My co-star refused Beeman’s request, and I was instantly aware of the tension on the set. I remember instinctively checking to make sure both my hands were visible to everyone who was there, as not to have my intentions or actions misconstrued. Despite Beeman’s clear description of what he was looking for visually, my co-star insisted she was, indeed, being asked to remove her top completely, and rehearsal was cut. She then demanded a meeting with Beeman and the producers who were on set and proceeded to have an intense and loud conversation in which she expressed she had never been so disrespected — as an actress, a woman or a human being.

Later, she found me and said she hoped the “discussion” could stay between us. I didn’t know how that was possible, given said “discussion” was had at elevated levels on a soundstage in front of the crew. Also, my co-star never once thought to include me, her scene partner, in any part of a “discussion,” in which I would have gladly participated. So I found the appeal to my sense of solidarity after the fact strange and somewhat hollow. Nonetheless, I assured her I was fine with getting the work done in any way she and Beeman could agree on. We completed the scene with the straps of my co-star’s top clearly visible, resolving the matter to what I believed was her satisfaction.

While that was my first episode, my co-star had been working on “Heroes” for over a month, and she’d shot another scene that called for Niki to seduce Nathan Petrelli, played by Adrian Pasdar. After watching the episode, I asked Pasdar if there had been any concerns similar to what I witnessed during my episode. He replied to the contrary, and mentioned her openness to collaboration and even improvisation. I pondered why my co-star had exuberantly played a different scene with the Petrelli character involving overt sexuality while wearing lingerie, but found aspects of one involving love and intimacy expressed through dialogue with my character, her husband, disrespectful to her core. I couldn’t help wondering whether race was a factor.

Upon arriving backstage at Radio City Music Hall for a rehearsal, I caught my co-star’s eye. “I’m hearing our cover is selling the least of all of them,” she told me. It was the first and only thing she said to me that night and I believed the subtext was clear: I was tarnishing her brand.

The day after returning from upfronts, I received a call from Kring, my first ever. In a short voicemail message, he said that due to “the Ali Larter situation,” when the show returned for Season 2, audiences would learn that D.L. had died, and that I was free to call him if I wanted to talk. I was stunned.

I took a couple of days to cuss, mope and second guess, after which I decided to take Kring up on his offer, and set an appointment with him. When I arrived at his office, I was surprised to see that Dennis Hammer was there as well. Kring began by reiterating that because of my co-star, he just couldn’t make my remaining on the show work story-wise. I’m typically not one who refers to himself in the third person, but in that instance I felt compelled to channel my inner Alexander O’Neal and pointed out he fired Leonard Roberts, but only mentioned Leonard Roberts’ co-star as the reason for his firing, and that Leonard Roberts found that … curious.

Kring said he felt my character had been painted into a corner, due to the fact that “we” didn’t have “chemistry,” and that any attempt to create a new storyline for D.L. just felt like “the tail wagging the dog.” I replied that I found it interesting he had created a world where people flew, painted the future, bent time and space, read minds, erased minds and were indestructible, yet somehow the potential story solution of my character getting divorced left him utterly confounded. I also questioned how a “we” issue could be cited as justification for the firing of “me.”

You can read the remainder of the article by clicking here. 

As fans of the show we are written disheartened by this news. “Heroes” was one of our favorite series and to think that Leonard was fired due to racial issues is just plain wrong. This should have been Leonard’s big break but it seems like it nearly broke him.

Ali has come forward with an apology:

via TVLine

Actor Ali Larter responded on Wednesday to the account by her “Heroes” co-star Leonard Roberts — who, in a first-person essay for Variety published earlier in the day, said Larter mistreated him while working on the first season of the hit NBC series, eventually leading to his dismissal from the show. Roberts believes the fact he’s Black affected that decision.

In a statement to Variety‘s sibling publication TVLine, Larter said: “I am deeply saddened to hear about Leonard Roberts’ experience on Heroes and I am heartbroken reading his perception of our relationship, which absolutely doesn’t match my memory nor experience on the show. I respect Leonard as an artist and I applaud him or anyone using their voice and platform. I am truly sorry for any role I may have played in his painful experience during that time and I wish him and his family the very best.”

We hope somehow Leonard is vindicated and receives the acclaim and roles he deserves.

Where is the love? Not far. In fact it is right between two amazing content creators who just so happen to be just an equally amazing power couple! Meet Jennia Fredrique Aponte and Sol Aponte, two people whose love and creativity are changing the world.

Jennia and Sol have partnered together in life and professionally, creating a production company, “Full Frequency Media,” and a wildly popular series, Anatomy of Black Love. “We know what it means to be Black in America and to want to see powerful, accurate, and diverse representation…that’s where content creators who look like you come into place…with everything that’s going on in the world it’s more critical than ever to have that…”

Jennia and Sol have committed their time and energy towards creating meaningful and quality content using their growing platforms. Both have been in the industry for decades.  We have followed Jennia’s career for years seeing her in various movie and television roles including Half & Half, Who Made The Potato Salad?, Passions, One on One, and Girlfriends. Her most memorable role, however, to us, was as “Brandy” in Patrik-Ian Polk’s Noah’s ARC. “That was a role I really enjoyed. People are always talking about her, she was a joy to play and you know I really enjoyed working with the guys.” Sol is noted television producer with work on hit series like mixed-ish, The Young & The Restless, MADTv, and In The Cut. “Working on so many different projects, you definitely learn a lot about life, people, and how to perfect your own projects…the skills to make great content people can relate to really happens just as much behind the cameras as it does out front…”

Jennia and Sol have united their skills, partnering with Diddy’s independent music cable network, Revolt TV. The network’s mission is to provide great content created by the voices of the current generation. There, their popular and aforementioned series, Anatomy of Black Love, gives audiences a modern take on Black Love through frank, intimate, and confirming interviews with Black celebrities including  Gillian and Michael Jai White, La’Myia Good-Bellinger and Eric Bellinger, Malinda Williams and Tariq Walker, and more.

“Black Love is so amazing and real and it’s not always presented well on screen. It’s important for us to see people who look like us in love, being loved, and living fulfilling lives together…” Jennia adds. “You know love is work and people need to see that. The course of true love never did run smooth but when it does it is the greatest experience of your life…” Sol goes on to discuss the relatability of the series, “…even if you aren’t in a relationship you can relate to this because love is universal and you can even find aspects of self-love in these interviews. They’re very affirming…”

We have watched every episode of Anatomy of Black Love and we have to say the series is virtually a spiritual experience, restoring our own faith in love. Positive representation of Black people is so needed in these trying times of police shootings and violence, and the onslaught of systemic racism. “The best way to combat this war of hate on us is through love–love of self, and love of one another…” Be sure to check out the series exclusively on Revolt TV.

Besides their aforementioned series you can also see their short films, 90 Days, Sacred Heart, and their celebrity interview series, Beyond The Talent, and other projects on their website, www.fullfrequencymedia.com.

Jennia Fredrique Aponte and Sol Aponte are true influencers, outstanding content creators, and truly in love. Separately they are a force to be reckoned with, combined, they are nothing short of a force of nature. Keep at it guys, we need you.

Where is the love? Not far. In fact it is right between two amazing content creators who just so happen to be just an equally amazing power couple! Meet Jennia Fredrique Aponte and Sol Aponte, two people whose love and creativity are changing the world.

Jennia and Sol have partnered together in life and professionally, creating a production company, “Full Frequency Media,” and a wildly popular series, Anatomy of Black Love. “We know what it means to be Black in America and to want to see powerful, accurate, and diverse representation…that’s where content creators who look like you come into place…with everything that’s going on in the world it’s more critical than ever to have that…”

Jennia and Sol have committed their time and energy towards creating meaningful and quality content using their growing platforms. Both have been in the industry for decades.  We have followed Jennia’s career for years seeing her in various movie and television roles including Half & Half, Who Made The Potato Salad?, Passions, One on One, and Girlfriends. Her most memorable role, however, to us, was as “Brandy” in Patrik-Ian Polk’s Noah’s ARC. “That was a role I really enjoyed. People are always talking about her, she was a joy to play and you know I really enjoyed working with the guys.” Sol is noted television producer with work on hit series like mixed-ish, The Young & The Restless, MADTv, and In The Cut. “Working on so many different projects, you definitely learn a lot about life, people, and how to perfect your own projects…the skills to make great content people can relate to really happens just as much behind the cameras as it does out front…”

Jennia and Sol have united their skills, partnering with Diddy’s independent music cable network, Revolt TV. The network’s mission is to provide great content created by the voices of the current generation. There, their popular and aforementioned series, Anatomy of Black Love, gives audiences a modern take on Black Love through frank, intimate, and confirming interviews with Black celebrities including  Gillian and Michael Jai White, La’Myia Good-Bellinger and Eric Bellinger, Malinda Williams and Tariq Walker, and more.

“Black Love is so amazing and real and it’s not always presented well on screen. It’s important for us to see people who look like us in love, being loved, and living fulfilling lives together…” Jennia adds. “You know love is work and people need to see that. The course of true love never did run smooth but when it does it is the greatest experience of your life…” Sol goes on to discuss the relatability of the series, “…even if you aren’t in a relationship you can relate to this because love is universal and you can even find aspects of self-love in these interviews. They’re very affirming…”

We have watched every episode of Anatomy of Black Love and we have to say the series is virtually a spiritual experience, restoring our own faith in love. Positive representation of Black people is so needed in these trying times of police shootings and violence, and the onslaught of systemic racism. “The best way to combat this war of hate on us is through love–love of self, and love of one another…” Be sure to check out the series exclusively on Revolt TV.

Besides their aforementioned series you can also see their short films, 90 Days, Sacred Heart, and their celebrity interview series, Beyond The Talent, and other projects on their website, www.fullfrequencymedia.com.

Jennia Fredrique Aponte and Sol Aponte are true influencers, outstanding content creators, and truly in love. Separately they are a force to be reckoned with, combined, they are nothing short of a force of nature. Keep at it guys, we need you.

Former “Desperate Housewife,” Eva Longoria is being dragged on social media for seemingly downplaying Black Women’s role in winning the 2020 Presidential Election for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

In an interview with MSNBC Eva stated; “women of color showed up in big ways. Of course, you saw in Georgia what Black women have done but Latina women were the real heroines here, beating men in turnout in every state and voting for Biden-Harris at an average rate of 3:1.”

Eva was immediately blasted on social media!

Latinas in Florida and Texas literally voted for Tr*mp. You can sit this one out, @EvaLongoria. In Georgia, STACEY ABRAMS did what she had to for her community. She registered 800k+ new voters and mobilized. It’s HER time to shine. Nobody else did what she was able to do. https://t.co/fS3DMxMeSv pic.twitter.com/SQfDsqv2v0

— C. Flores, M.A. (@christinoflores) November 9, 2020

Hey, @EvaLongoria, Latina to Latina – sis, no.

We need to let our Black sisters have the nice things they earn. We don’t need to step in front of them to validate our own contributions.

Please reflect on the feedback you’re getting and apologize.pic.twitter.com/vejme2ZmUa

— Tae Phoenix (@TaePhoenix) November 9, 2020

Eva, facing the political firestorm, issued an apology via a few tweets of her own:

About my MSNBC interview, Black women have long been the backbone of the Democratic Party, something we have seen played out in this election as well as previous ones. Black women absolutely should be applauded and lifted up! They brought this victory home in a BIG way! I was com

— Eva Longoria Baston (@EvaLongoria) November 9, 2020

comparing Latinas to Latino men. Not black women. I meant Latinas were the ones who showed up for our LatinX community. Finally, Black women don’t have to do it alone. Latina women and other women of color are standing with them and growing their voice and power. Together we are

— Eva Longoria Baston (@EvaLongoria) November 9, 2020

Unstoppable!!! Black women turned out 90% for Biden. I as a Latina, aspire to be as engaged as effective as they are!

— Eva Longoria Baston (@EvaLongoria) November 9, 2020

We love Eva Longoria, but we do feel like she unwittingly diminished the contributions of Black Women with her words. Defeating Donald Trump was a collaborative effort; taking men and women of seemingly every ethnic group, gender, and sexual orientation to accomplish. Yes Latinas played a role, but even as Biden mentioned in his victory speech on Saturday, it was the Black community that saved the day!

You misspoke Eva, we accept your apology, however.