Black-ish Star Says in Hollywood, "Racism Usually Trumps" Sexism

Tracee Ellis Ross | Photo Credits: Splash

Both racism and sexism are two of the most hot-button issues in Hollywood today, though Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross says that "racism usually trumps [sexism]."

In a roundtable discussion held by The Hollywood Reporter, Ross noted that racism can be easier to spot than sexism, but that it's not always a negative experience. "There are certain moments here and there that people don't realize the stereotypes that you're perpetuating, but when called on it they're very happy to kind of open that up," she said.

"I think very often in comedy, a lot of the sexist stuff or racist stuff happens behind the scenes. We're all playing roles and we're all outspoken women who would, I imagine, speak up."

Joining her at the table were Lena Dunham (Girls), Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live), Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer) and Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt).

Lena Dunham, Gina Rodriguez and more share what it's really like to be a woman in Hollywood

Ross praised her time on Girlfriends for giving her a positive start in the industry, with the show aimed towards women viewers having been run by a woman. "To have that experience at the beginning sort of gives you a template that you do not walk out into the world and see everywhere, so it changed the expectation that I have for the way things are moving." She also mentioned that Black-ish is her first experience on a show being told from a man's point of view.

The actress recounted a rather memorable audition experience, where she ended up feeling objectified and demoralized while testing for the part of a Harvard-educated lawyer. "I remember thinking, 'Thank God I didn't get that role,' because I would have died every week being tarted up, in a way. And it was my last experience doing that."

TODAY'S VIDEO: Watch Lennon and Maisy jam out on weird instruments