We recently reported on the backlash “Insecure” show creators were facing after a character played by Amanda Seales wore AKA paraphernalia in an episode.
Things have progressed quite a bit since then, the organization’s executives are moving forward with legal action against show creators.
In a statement they shared:
“WE WERE MADE AWARE OF THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF OUR BRAND ON THE HBO SHOW INSECURE EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING (MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2021) AND ARE TAKING STEPS TO PROTECT OUR BRAND,” AKA SORORITY INC. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CYNTHIA D. HOWELL SAID IN A STATEMENT.
“Please allow the corporate office to handle this matter. We all have a duty to protect our brand. You can do your part by refraining from engaging with anyone involved with the show or with anyone, including other sorors, on social media about this matter. Thank you for your continued assistance and cooperation.”
According to Black Enterprise:
The response comes after Seales and Issa Rae came under fire on Sunday during the season premiere. While it’s been understood that the show’s fictional characters Tiffany and Molly are both AKAs, they were doing a good job at incorporating pink and green attire without actually including real para.
In the past, Molly has been seen drinking out of an AKA mug. But it didn’t get as much attention at Tiffany DuBois’s AKA sweater and jacket that included the organization’s official shield that only actual members are allowed to wear.
But during the season 5 premiere, Seales’ character went all out with the AKA para, and the real-life AKAs let Issa and Amanda have it.
Seales posted a video defending her character
“I DON’T KNOW WHY PEOPLE KEEP ASKING ME IF I’M A SOROR. I AM NOT A SOROR. TIFFANY IS A SOROR. TIFFANY IS A CHARACTER ON A TV SHOW,” SEALES SAID. “I DIDN’T WRITE THE CHARACTER–I PLAY THE CHARACTER! I’M NOT A SOROR–I’M AN ACTRESS! AND I’M PLAYING A CHARACTER ON A TV SHOW.”
Issa also jokingly responded to one angry AKA on Twitter saying the show would be edited to remove one of the upcoming episodes that possibly had more AKA para included.
But it looks like the social media backlash was only just the beginning and now the organization is coming for Issa, Amanda, and anyone else who thinks they can use the official logo without being an official member.
