Lawrence Saint-Victor is no stranger to the spotlight, but recently, the Bold and the Beautiful star found himself defending his role as a screenwriter after some negative feedback surfaced. The actor, who portrays Carter Walton on the hit soap, has been at the center of a new controversy after a post by The Hollywood Christmas Parade sparked a wave of criticism.
The Backlash Begins: Accusations of Not Uplifting Black Women
On Christmas Eve, the official Instagram account for The Hollywood Christmas Parade shared an exclusive interview with Saint-Victor and his co-star Annika Noelle (Hope Logan). In the video, the pair discussed their characters’ upcoming drama on the show and shared their favorite holiday moments. However, what started as a festive post quickly turned sour when a fan accused Saint-Victor of “not uplifting Black women.”
The user’s comment suggested that Saint-Victor, a Black actor, was not doing enough to support Black women in the industry, claiming that his work on The Bold and the Beautiful reinforced a narrative prioritizing white women over Black women, particularly darker-skinned women.
Saint-Victor Claps Back: Setting the Record Straight
Not one to stay silent when faced with such accusations, Saint-Victor wasted no time in defending himself. He directly responded to the commenter, pointing out that he is married to a Black woman and has worked to create content that features and uplifts Black women. The actor also reminded the fan that Carter’s first love on the show was a Black woman, followed by two other Black women. “That’s an interesting take. Especially since I’m married to a Black woman, created content with and featuring Black women, and Carter’s first love was a Black woman, followed by two other Black women,” he wrote.
Saint-Victor then further clarified his role in the show’s storylines. As a screenwriter for the soap, he emphasized that while he contributes to the dialogue, he doesn’t have control over the overall direction of his character’s arc. “To say that I have done nothing to uplift Black women is false. I’m a scriptwriter (Dialogue),” he explained.
A Call for Representation and Understanding
While Saint-Victor empathized with the fan’s desire for more representation, he expressed frustration with the false assumptions being made about his intentions. In response, another fan chimed in to defend Saint-Victor, noting that daytime soaps, including The Bold and the Beautiful, have been making strides in representing diverse communities.
The conversation around representation in soap operas isn’t slowing down. In fact, it’s only gaining momentum. Annika Noelle herself confirmed to TV Insider that Murielle Hilaire will be joining B&B as “Daphne Rose,” a character who could become a romantic interest for Carter. Moreover, the upcoming launch of Beyond the Gates, the first-ever one-hour Black daytime soap, is set to premiere in February 2025, signaling more opportunities for diverse storytelling in daytime television.
Saint-Victor’s Advocacy for Change
Throughout the controversy, Saint-Victor has been clear about his commitment to advocacy and his support for greater diversity in television. His defense of his character and his personal commitment to uplifting Black women only highlights his dedication to positive change. As the conversation around representation continues to evolve, it’s clear that Saint-Victor will remain a passionate and vocal advocate for diversity in the entertainment industry.
The Bold and the Beautiful fans can rest assured that the conversation about representation is far from over, and with Saint-Victor’s continued involvement, change is sure to come.
