Ali Larter issued a half-apology to her Heroes onscreen husband Leonard Roberts on Wednesday following accusations she had him written off their NBC series after only one season in 2007.
‘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,’ the 43-year-old mother-of-two said in a statement to TVLine.
‘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.’
‘I am deeply saddened’: Ali Larter issued a half-apology to her Heroes onscreen husband Leonard Roberts on Wednesday following accusations she had him written off their NBC series after only one season in 2007
The 43-year-old mother-of-two said in a statement: ‘I am heartbroken reading his perception of our relationship, which absolutely doesn’t match my memory nor experience on the show’ (pictured Sunday)
In an essay in Variety, the 48-year-old actor wondered how much ‘race was a factor’ in Ali’s coldness and volatility toward him, and how he got the feeling he ‘was tarnishing her brand.’
Larter was ‘exuberant’ during a lingerie-clad seduction scene with Adrian Pasdar, but when director Greg Beeman asked her to lower her top’s straps for a bedroom scene with Leonard, she was outraged.
Roberts overheard the New Jersey-born blonde loudly telling Beeman in a meeting: ‘I have never been so disrespected – as an actress, a woman or a human being.’
Creator Tim Kring later told the Drumline actor his character had been ‘painted into a corner’ and he was going to be killed off due to lack of ‘chemistry’ with Ali.
Ali added: ‘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’
Inspired by the BLM movement: In an essay in Variety, the 48-year-old actor wondered how much ‘race was a factor’ in Ali’s coldness and volatility toward him, and how he got the feeling he ‘was tarnishing her brand’
‘I have never been so disrespected!’ Larter was ‘exuberant’ during a lingerie-clad seduction scene with Adrian Pasdar, but when director Greg Beeman asked her to lower her top’s straps for a bedroom scene with Leonard, she was outraged
‘I acknowledge that a lack of diversity at the upper levels of the staff may have contributed to Leonard experiencing the lack of sensitivity that he describes,’ Kring said Wednesday in a statement.
‘I have been committed to improving upon this issue with every project I pursue. I remember Leonard fondly and wish him well.’
Variety corroborated Leonard’s account of the events with 10 anonymous people close to the NBC superhero drama, now streaming on Peacock TV.
Roberts’ former Mom castmate Yvette Nicole Brown called Larter’s statement about the 13-year-old scandal ‘how not to apologize.’
Creator Tim Kring later told Roberts his character had been ‘painted into a corner’ and he was going to be killed off due to lack of ‘chemistry’ with the New Jersey-born blonde
Kring said Wednesday in a statement: ‘I acknowledge that a lack of diversity at the upper levels of the staff may have contributed to Leonard experiencing the lack of sensitivity that he describes’
Receipts: Variety corroborated the Drumline actor’s account of the events with 10 anonymous people close to the NBC superhero drama, now streaming on Peacock TV (pictured in 2018)
‘It was the use of “perception” for me,’ the 49-year-old Community alum tweeted on Wednesday.
‘The horrible love to hide behind the idea that the person they purposely tormented somehow misconstrued their intentions while they were being purposely tormenting. I believe @_LeonardRoberts. #AliLarter & her ilk can kick rocks.’
Yvette added: ‘She surely never even thought about the toll her privileged shenanigans were taking on Leonard. That non-apology proves she’s learned nothing since then. People like her never do.’
ABC’s For Life writer Kirk A. Moore tweeted that what Ali did was ‘awful and racist’ but noted that ‘those showrunners are to blame for mismanaging their show and cast.’
‘It was the use of “perception” for me’: Leonard’s former Mom castmate Yvette Nicole Brown called Larter’s statement about the 13-year-old scandal ‘how not to apologize’
ABC’s For Life writer Kirk A. Moore tweeted that what Ali did was ‘awful and racist’ but noted that ‘those showrunners are to blame for mismanaging their show and cast’
Austin Crute (Trinkets, Booksmart) tweeted that he believed the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum because ‘the crew blatantly remember what he’s talking about is enough for me’
‘Um gurl did you forget?’ Many Twitter users shared memes of Beyoncé beating up Larter in the 2009 flick Obsessed, as well as images of the Varsity Blues alum wearing nothing but whipped cream in 1999
Austin Crute (Trinkets, Booksmart) tweeted that he believed the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum because ‘the crew blatantly remember what he’s talking about is enough for me.’
Many Twitter users shared memes of Beyoncé beating up Larter in the 2009 flick Obsessed, as well as images of the Varsity Blues alum wearing nothing but whipped cream in 1999.
Ali will next reprise her role as Dr. Grace Sawyer in the third season of police procedural The Rookie, which premieres January 3 on ABC.
Premieres January 3 on ABC! Ali will next reprise her role as Dr. Grace Sawyer in the third season of police procedural The Rookie