‘Words matter’: The Flash’s Grant Gustin reacts to his co-star Hartley Sawyer getting fired over racist, misogynist and homophobic tweets
- The Flash lead star Grant Gustin has reacted to his co-star Hartley Sawyer getting fired over his racist and misogynist comments on Twitter
- ‘Words matter,’ Gustin said in an Instagram post, sharing a statement from showrunner Eric Wallace
- Sawyer issued an official apology for the past tweets in an Instagram post on May 30 saying the tweets were ‘meant with an intent of humor’
- One tweet from 2012 that said the ‘only thing’ keeping the actor from doing ‘mildly racist tweets’ was knowing ‘Al Sharpton would never stop complaining’
The Flash’s lead star Grant Gustin has publicly reacted to the news of his co-star Hartley Sawyer getting fired over recently resurfaced racist, misogynist and homophobic tweets.
Gustin shared a statement from showrunner Eric Wallace, before adding his own opinion on the matter regarding Sawyer, who played Ralph Dibny on The CW series for the past three seasons.
Gustin wrote: ‘I don’t have much to add because Eric’s thoughts are stated so eloquently and powerfully. I will say I was shocked, saddened and angry when I saw the tweets. Words matter.’
Speaking out: The Flash’s lead star Grant Gustin has publicly reacted to the news of co-star Hartley Sawyer getting fired over resurfaced racist, misogynist and homophobic tweets.
In tweets from 2013, Sawyer had said racist remarks including: ‘Out at dinner and just exposed myself as a racist, AGAIN’ and ‘The only thing keeping me from doing mildly racist tweets is the knowledge that Al Sharpton would never stop complaining about me.’
Meanwhile showrunner Wallace said in his statement: ‘I, too, am committed to bringing permanent change to the work environment here on THE FLASH. Yes, this is a family show. But it’s for all families.’
‘That includes Black and Brown ones. In order to facilitate this, I will continued to find Black and Brown writers, directors, actors and producers of all genders to help tell FLASH stories.’
Sharing his thoughts: Grant made sure to make his feelings clear on the matter
Lead star: Grant Gustin as The Flash on The CW show
As well as his racist remarks, Sawyer also posted several misogynist and homophobic comments.
He tweeted in 2014: ‘Enjoyed a secret boob viewing at an audition today’ while other tweets were said to make reference to assaulting women, with one saying: ‘Date rape myself so I don’t have to masturbate.’
He used homophobic language, telling one Twitter user: ‘just kidding I don’t care and fags are fine but sports often make me snore.’
He’s out: The Flash actor Hartley Sawyer (pictured in May 2019) has been fired from the show after his racist and misogynist tweets resurfaced.
Lengthy apology: The actor posted this message to his fans on his Instagram account on May 30 before it was revealed he had been fired from the show
Sawyer has apologized on Instagram his official Instagram saying: ‘My words, irrelevant of being meant with an intent of humor, were hurtful, and unacceptable.’
‘I am ashamed I was capable of these really horrible attempts to get attention at that time. I regret them deeply. This was not acceptable behavior.’
‘These were words I threw out at the time with no thought or recognition of the harm my words could do, and now have done today.’
Gone in a Flash: The actor played Ralph Dibny on The CW series for the past three seasons